Former Council Member Cathy Iverson Opposes Moratorium at Council Meeting in Public Forum
September 17th Workshop Discussed Moratorium
At the September 17th council workshop, the Wayzata City Council directed City staff to explore and prepare a construction moratorium in the Central Core Zoning District (R-3A), for discussion at an upcoming council meeting.
The workshop topic was the result of a previous request by Council Member Molly MacDonald at the August 20th Council Meeting.
MacDonald Proposed Zoning Review at August 20th Council Meeting
According to the approved August 20th council meeting minutes, Council Member Molly MacDonald requested the review of the City’s zoning standards for core neighborhoods. This request was part of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan Progress Report #1. She asked the Council to consider prioritizing the review under the Community Character and Resident Pride of Place section. MacDonald noted that in smaller, older neighborhoods like hers, the demolition of homes on small lots has significantly changed the area’s character.
She shared that she had received considerable community feedback on this issue and suggested that zoning changes and studies could help preserve the unique qualities of these neighborhoods as they develop.
Mayor Johanna Mouton raised concerns about the potential delay in addressing zoning issues affecting core neighborhoods. She worried that waiting for a workshop discussion in a few months could result in additional homes being torn down, as government processes tend to be slow. Mouton highlighted that residents are already experiencing negative impacts and suggested that the issue might require more immediate attention.
Council Member MacDonald agreed, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Council Member Jeff Parkhill proposed discussing the matter at the next workshop meeting, while Alex Plechash and Ken Sorensen also supported addressing it sooner rather than later. Mouton recommended that MacDonald provide staff with key resident concerns to guide the discussion. MacDonald agreed to do so and planned to meet with staff to outline priorities and expectations.
Garages in the Front or Back? And what about the length and location of the driveway?
The main issue is whether garages in Wayzata should be placed in front or back yards and how this affects hardcover, driveway length, location, and home size. You can find more details in our report from last week:
The Central Core, which includes the area bounded by Barry Avenue to the west, Wayzata Boulevard to the south, Chicago Avenue to the east, and Highway 12 to the north, has seen significant redevelopment activity over the past five years. From 2019 to 2024, this area accounted for 17 tear-downs and rebuilds—31% of all single-family redevelopments in Wayzata. Many of these new homes have been built to maximize lot sizes, featuring shorter setbacks and large, garage-dominated facades that some believe detract from the neighborhood’s historic character.
Former Council Member Cathy Iverson Addresses In Public Forum
Returning to the public forum at the September 17th council meeting, former Council Member Cathy Iverson voiced concerns about a possible moratorium on new residential construction. “I did not plan on speaking at all, but I sat through a workshop and I’m very taken aback,” Iverson said. She emphasized the irreversible changes to neighborhood character over the years, noting that many residents had previously voiced concerns about development to no avail. “My neighborhood is a neighborhood I don’t even recognize anymore,” she remarked, adding that while she supports studying the issue, she opposes a moratorium.
If the moratorium is prioritized, it could impact other city projects, including the Metro Transit Park and Ride redevelopment and the Wayzata Boulevard Corridor Study. However, officials stressed that community input will play a critical role in shaping any future zoning amendments.
This is a developing story, stay tuned to Wayzata.com. This story has been updated numerous times.
