The Wayzata City Council has approved a new water treatment plant to replace the 47 year old existing treatment system. Plans include a 500,000 gallon underground storage tank and new filter. The system is estimated to cost $4.4 million and will raise water utility rates by 9%. Part of the revenue to the tune of $1 million will be derived from Tax Increment Financing from completed development projects. Check http://www.wayzata.org/ for more information.
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In a move that could shatter all building height restriction in Wayzata, The Wayzata Bay Development Company reintroduced an observation tower of 155 feet that if approved would shatter all building height regulations that have been in place for some time within the City of Wayzata. What is amazing is that the Lakeshore Weekly News reported this yesterday, and at the same time there was a letter to the editor condemning the new tower height, as though the tower had been common knowledge. When did the tower get reintroduced?
In a Star Trib article dated April 2, it highlighted the major aspects of the plan. Within that article there was absolutely no mention of a tower, and so it seems to be shocking that at first the community, Humphrey, and his jolly band of decision makers were discussing approval of a project over 4 stories and up to 5 stories. This revelation makes me concerned not so much with the height of the buildings from my own personal perspective, but rather how the community will respond to structure that is 5 times taller than the 30 foot height restrictions that have been on the books.
We must also consider the fact that the tower is a red herring, in so far as now Presbyterian Homes is asking for 155 feet, the council could reject, but approve what is considered now a substantially lower height at 4 stories. Perhaps it is all a slight of hand. Stay tuned, Wayzata.com will keep you up to date with all the happenings and developments.
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The Wayzata City Council has extended a moratorium on new construction over 30 feet. At the same time, the Wayzata Bay Center calls for plans of 4 stories. It seems difficult to gage the City Council’s intentions at this time because it seems the Wayzata Bay Center Development is gaining momentum in all aspects except with regard to building height. The truth of the matter is that Wayzata needs the Bay Center Development to go through to survive as a retail community–and the civic leaders know it. The decline in the retail sector has been well documented through many sources, and this would be a tremendous shot in the arm for retailers both located at the Bay Center and those who are not. It will bring more people from Plymouth, Minnetonka, Orono, Mound, etc. for the products and services added through the development. The city leaders want to approve, the people want it from what I read in print and online.
The problem with all this is that Wayzata is supposed to be a quaint lakeside village. Quaint means small and slow moving, and while these objectives could probably be reached with the development being approved, it sends mixed messages to property owners, developers and builders around town. How can the council say to it’s residents and businesses that 30 feet tall and or 3 stories is the tallest you can build everywhere in Wayzata–except at the Bay Center. YOU CAN”T, or at least it is going to be very tough to make all sides see why this is OK and can happen.
There are a number of projects all over town where the shovels and dirt are flying, and you can be sure that they would have liked to have built four or five stories if they could have. It goes back to Orwell’s Animal Farm: All animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal. The more equal animal here is the Bay Center site. I wouldn’t want to be Andrew Humphrey and his band of jolly decision makers, because they can’t win this fight. Approve it and you piss off other developers and business people in the community who can’t build that high, and leave the City open to litigation to build to 4 stories. Shoot it down and you kill the heart of Wayzata and leave the possibility for development at the site seriously damaged, having turned away three suitors in as many years.
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The historical Minnehaha Steamboat Crew is preparing for the 2008 summer season on the lake–if spring ever does arrive in Minnesota. According to Adam Steinmetz, the Minnehaha has a new schedule this year: the first part of the trip leaves Excelsior in the morning, and heads to the Wayzata Depot. Passengers from Excelsior then have some time to have lunch, shop and stroll and a 2nd group of passengers departs from Wayzata for the Wayzata Bay 1 hour tour. Upon return, the 2nd group of passengers gets off the boat and Excelsior passengers board her and head back to Excelsior. Then later in the day there is a Big Island tour as well as a separate Gideon’s & Lafayette Bay tour.
For the full schedule, please visit the link below:
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In case you don’t watch football, James Laurinaitis is a name you should know if you are a Wayzatian. Laurinaitis is a recent graduate of Wayzata High School, and the best linebacker in the nation at the college level. He is currently preparing for his Senior year at Ohio State and has won accolades such as: the Butkus Award in 2007, the Nagurski Award in 2006. He is considered one of the top NFL Draft prospects, but has decided to return to Ohio State for one more year.
James is the son of Joe Laurinaitis, the professional wrestler known as “Animal”, part of a the tag team “The Road Warriors.” Watch for James and Ohio State to get another shot at the National Championship this year, and then get drafted by an NFL team. Should be interesting what kind of success he and his teammates can achieve.
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Hi Dan,
When is the large curbside recycle day for residents?
Thank You
Bob
Hi Bob,Thanks for the email. According to Rebecca Jones from Public Works (952-404-5360) at the city of Wayzata, Spring Cleanup 2008 is May 3rd. Residents are able to dispose of appliances, TV’s, Printers, Copiers, etc. for a modest fee. If you have yard waste you need to dispose of because you didn’t do a fall cleanup, it can be brought to the City Compost pile at the end of Wayzata Boulevard, past the Country Club, right before Highway 12 goes into Long Lake.
Please click here for the pamphlet Rebecca emailed to me, as it contains most of the details. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me personally at your convenience.
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The Star Trib is reporting on the Wayzata Bay Center development today. According to the article, Presbyterian Homes & Services submitted a detailed 40 page document outlining the $160 million proposal for the 14.5 acre site on the Bay Center site which currently houses the Muni, Goodyear, The Foursome, Kraemer’s True Value Hardware, Bob’s Shoe Repair, The Original Pancake House, etc.
Highlights of the project include:
- Hotel
- Plaza
- Sidewalks
- Streets
- 5 blocks each wrapped with parking, sidewalks and trees
- 255 units of senior housing
- 130,000 square feet of retail space
- 27,500 square feet of office space
- 155 units apartments/condos
- aggressive storm water management system
The biggest objection to the project in conversations with concerned residents and council members and searching the net is whether to allow the plan to proceed because of it’s disregard for a height limit that is imposed by the City of Wayzata. Wayzata currently has a height moratorium in place which prohibits buildings of over 3 stories from being built. The initial plans from Presbyterian Homes called for 5 stories, and the most recent proposal calls for 4 stories as part of the design on one of the buildings.
The Wayzata City Council has a number of meetings scheduled regarding the Wayzata Bay Center. A request for the schedule was not immediately returned.
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Dan,
Hello, I am a bride to be in August and I am interested in a lake side rehearsal dinner option in Wayzata. I talked to Sunset’s and I was told they do not take large party reservations, so I wanted to see if you had another suggestion? I am looking for a place that could accommodate up to 100 people for cocktails and heavy appetizers. I look forward to your suggestions!
Keri CowanKeri,
Thanks for the note! The suggestions Elisha (my wife) and I discussed are as follows:
Try Northcoast first, as they are in Wayzata. You could ask if they would be willing to rent out the top deck on the second floor that overlooks Wayzata Bay on Lake Minnetonka. If you Google NorthCoast Wayzata Reviews the word is they get about 3.5 out of 5 stars. I agree with that, as the couple of times I have been, it took forever to get served, forever to get the food delivered to the table, and they were indifferent. Lots of people rave about it, so don’t base your decision for a large party on my sandwich being late.
The second option is Bayside Event Center in Excelsior. I used to work there and they regularly had receptions and weddings lake side. Good food, good ambiance, Bayside also gets 3.5 stars when you search for a review. A third option which is not lake side is the Wayzata Legion, although it would be a strictly blue collar affair. The Conservatory at Carlson Towers will also accommodate a very nice event.
Let me know if you have success, and Elisha and I wish you all the best with your wedding.
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The Wayzata Histroical Society will host an educational program on how the 250 acre site of the old McGinty family farm was developed into a an estate, and then again into the corporate headquarters for Cargill. The program is free to all persons and will be held in the community room of the Wayzata City Hall located at 600 Rice Street in Wayzata at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008.
Elisha and I will be attending and we look forward to reminiscing with the Wayzata Historical Society about this beautiful area. The pictures submitted by the WHS to the Weekly News are reminiscent of another time, with horse drawn wagons and the Rand Estate. Look forward to seeing you there!
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First let me say that overall I am moderately satisfied with the Post Office in Wayzata, and I know that Terry, Les, and the others there work very hard. However, that being said, what happened today left me needing to vent with regard to how the Post Office nationally is set up versus McDonald’s.
It was a beautiful, sunshiny day today after the couple three inches of snow we got last night. The sun was out, the sky was blue, and I could feel the warmth of spring in the air. I walked up the cleaned dry stone steps of the Wayzata Post Office, and proceeded into the wonderful brick and stone building. The amount of mail that has passed through this point over time is staggering to think about.
Once I got inside, there was a line of two or three people in front of me. I looked at my gold and silver watch to become aware of the time, and it was 12:50 — the lunch rush, one of the busier times of the day for the Post Office in my estimation. There was one window open, and it seemed a tolerable wait at first glance. Little did I know that would not be the case.
The first woman at the window took her time, asking a range of questions about stamps, and postage questions that don’t really matter, and I’m paraphrasing: “When are stamps going up?” “How much are they going up?” “If this goes Priority Mail, will it get their Tuesday or Wednesday?” Taking too much time to mail the Birthday Card a week early and fretting as to whether it will arrive on time. By the way, if your letter or package is time sensitive, go ahead and ship it FedEx or UPS, not the Post Office. You get a tracking number, a guarantee as to when it will arrive, and competitive pricing. If your letter just needs a date stamped on it, go to the Post Office.
I looked at my gold and silver watch and the hands told me it was 12:53. I thought to myself “If I ran the Post Office, I would have two or three attendants on during lunch rather than sending them to lunch as a convenience to the customers who require postal services.” Now I don’t know if someone was out sick, or if there was a family emergency that required one of the other Postal Workers to be somewhere else, but it is frustrating to have to wait to have someone put a sticker on a box and swipe the Visa card.
The next guy in line has a number of priority envelopes with return receipts and announces he has some company check to the Postal Worker for $100.00. The Postal worker and he begin to discuss strategies for adding $.65 worth of postage to each of the 5 envelopes he is holding and how many stamps can he buy with the extra. It takes 15 minutes of intense negotiations buying $.47 cent stamps, $.05 cent stamps, $.02 cent stamps, etc. The postal worker can’t give any cash back on the check, and he can’t give out more postage than $100.00.
Meanwhile there is another worker in plain clothes hanging up signs, my guess these signs indicate the new rate increases. The guy hanging them is using a well worn aluminum ladder. The top step is dented and dinged, indicating that this is the ladder that is used to hang the signs. The plain clothed worker works his way up the ladder and proceeds to stand on the worn top step with his worn brown leather work boots. The woman in line behind me vocalizes my thoughts with a chirp of “OSHA wouldn’t approve of your standing on the top rung.” He shrugs and proceeds to move up and down the ladder, adjusting the sign and standing on the top rung as he moves the ladder back and forth to hang a wide sign. He didn’t fall, but he should have. Had he it would have been difficult to be sympathetic based on his earlier indifference when someone suggested a change in his behavior for his own safety.
I have time to let my eyes wander around the Post Office, seeing the gold flaked letters strung together that spell “Postmaster” on the door at the far end which had been installed during a time over half a century ago when quality and speed mattered in the United States. I have time to read about Sargent so and so from Medina who is stationed in Fallujah, and how his family wishes his was home. I have time to look for the FBI Most Wanted posters, but they are nowhere to be found. I have time to notice the automated postal station which I tried once before, but required to much effort, punching and clicking to actually ship a package.
I have time to read bubble wrap is available behind the counter. Tape and envelopes need to be paid for. The letters for the slots where mail goes are crooked. I have time to admire the granite floor installed originally, and notice as well there are blue commercial carpets over a good portion of it. I wonder who got the contract to clean the rugs, when do they get changed, what does the truck that delivers them look like. I have time to read that both parents have to sign off on a passport application as of such and such a date.
Meanwhile, back at the window, the fool on a company errand doesn’t have any change, no cash, and doesn’t offer to use a charge card. The Postal Worker who is finally at his wits end with this customer, reaches into his own pocket to settle the $100.15 worth of postage, and adds to the kitty to finally pay for the stamps. I look at my watch, it is now 1:12. People behind me are grumbling, and rightfully so. The errand boy from the company who doesn’t trust him to write in the correct amount lingers too long, taking steps back from the window but not fully disengaging. Finally he walks out the door, with a quick glance towards the line he has helped to create all holding their brown packages and white envelopes with long faces. He puts his eyes down seeing the glare from the unhappy Postal Patrons in line, puts on his sunglasses, and walks out the door into the sunshine.
The guy in front of me carries two large packages up to the counter and inquires about shipping them overseas, presumably to India. The postal worker indicates that surface mail has been discontinued, and that only Priority is now available for the modest fee of $70 minimum per package. The man collects his packages and walks out the door. I would too.
The gold and silver watch on my hand indicates it is now 1:20, and I finally step to the window. I slide the card to a relative across the counter in an attempt to verify it is not over sized and does not require additional postage. The postal worker looks at it casually and flings it in the box behind him. The package I need shipped costs $6 to to North Carolina, and suggestions for insurance–in case the Post Office loses it, or upgraded speed are rejected. Total time to ship, stamp and pay for my package, 2 minutes 30 seconds, and 27 minutes and 30 seconds, with total revenue to the Post Office $6.50 cents.
On the way back to the office, I stop at McDonald’s to grab a bite. I walk in the door, similar line with a different result. This McDonald’s has been rebuilt within the last year. It is clean, there are employees everywhere you look. People order by number, swipe their cards, and stand off to side so as to not impede the progress of the serving of lunch. I wait what seems to be 2 or 3 minutes, grab my burger and fries, and go. Total time invested, less than 5 minutes, total revenue $4.50.
Maybe what the Post Office needs to do is adopt some of the systems and controls we have seen be successful in other businesses. Greet a customer within so many seconds, deliver the order within 2 minutes, put in a drive thru–with two lanes! Don’t make us fill out return receipts by hand, type the shipping address and return label on the postage–give a tracking number that means something. Don’t tell me to ship my packages myself at home–I came to the Post Office for some good old fashioned face time, customer service, and to reduce the threat of my mail being stolen as well as my identity. You and I don’t work for the Post Office, and self service is the end of Postal Employee Jobs. Wishing you happy mailings and a short line.
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