WAYZATA — Council Member Jeff Parkhill has announced he will be stepping down from the Wayzata City Council, with his final meeting slated for September 23. The decision comes as Parkhill and his family prepare for a relocation to Park City, Utah following a new professional opportunity for his wife.
“We are looking forward to spending summers in Wayzata.” Parkhill said in an interview. “We’ve never been happier anywhere else. Wayzata is our forever summer community.”
Parkhill’s civic contributions span nearly eight years, including 5 years of prior service on the Planning Commission before joining the City Council in 2021. He has also served on the Design Review Committee, Zoning Task Force, and Dock Committee His involvement in key development discussions and community planning efforts has left a lasting mark on the city’s evolving landscape.
Among the decisions he takes pride in, Parkhill pointed to his role in opposing a proposal to convert the former Lunds & Byerlys store on Lake Street into residential units. “I just felt there was a need for small commercial spaces in that location,” he said. “I advocated for dividing the space into multiple storefronts to support local businesses, and I think I helped sway the vote.”
He also expressed deep pride in the Wayzata Lakewalk and its enhancements to the Panoway project. “The docks are gorgeous, and I’m proud of how the lake walk turned out,” he said, noting his involvement during its final planning stages.
The Parkhill family, who have lived in numerous major cities—including Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Denver, and New York City—say they’ve found something uniquely grounding in Wayzata. “Our kids love it here as much as we do,” Parkhill shared. “There’s something special about a resort town where you can still work and commute to downtown—it’s a rare combination.”
Parkhill encouraged residents to continue cherishing and contributing to what makes Wayzata so unique. “This is a community people leave and then come back to,” he said. “And some people are lucky enough to realize how special it is before they ever leave.”
As he steps away from public service for now, Parkhill leaves the door open for a return to civic life. “Serving Wayzata has been one of the joys of my life,” he said. “I’ve truly enjoyed the people, the process, and the trust the community placed in me.”
The City Council is expected to address next steps for filling the vacant seat in the months ahead.
