The Wayzata Parks & Trails Board has once again organized Sunday Music in the Park for the month of August (2022).
Music in the park. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
The event is held at the Wayzata Great Lawn / Promenade Park which is located just to the west of the Hotel Landing in downtown Wayzata.
August 7th – Westwind Swing Band (Swing Music) August 14th – Ditchweed (80s Sing Along) August 21st – Blue Grove (Bluegrass) August 28th – Wailing Loons (Folk Rock)
The time for the music performances each Sunday is from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at 851 Lake Street East.
City to study new THC law for up to a year, manufacturing and sales prohibited
The Wayzata City Council declared an emergency moratorium on the manufacturing, distribution and sale of edible cannabinoid products containing hemp.
The moratorium immediately prohibits anyone from selling or manufacturing edibles in Wayzata. The council approved the emergency declaration, and subsequent ordinance with a four-fifths vote in favor on Wednesday. Councilor Alex Plechash was not in attendance for the meeting.
The discussion over what to do about edible cannabinoid products comes after the Minnesota Legislature enacted a new law allowing certain edible and beverage products containing THC to be sold. The decision came during the legislative session in May. The law came into effect officially on July 1.
“Regardless of how this all came to be, little information was provided to cities to determine the level of regulation if needed,” said Jeff Dahl, City Manager. “We think, similar to alcohol and tobacco, there certainly could be impacts to our community with licensing, zoning and general public safety.”
Dahl expects the legislature to come forward with regulations at some point, which he said is often what happens.
The moratorium is effective for one year, or until it is ended through a vote by the city council. During this time, the city is required to study the issue and take action.
If someone is in violation of the moratorium they will face penalties similar to violating a zoning ordinance, according to Dahl. He also stated the moratorium has no impact on people who are prescribed medical marijuana. It is specifically targeted at edible cannabinoid products containing hemp.
“Swear to God I didn’t know what cannabinoid oil was before this,” Dahl said. “It’s essentially a mind altering substance.”
Mayor Johanna Mouton asked if the moratorium would immediately stop someone who has already started selling products. Dahl said it would.
If the state were to come forward with regulations before the end of the moratorium, the moratorium would remain in effect. The city would have the option to end the moratorium and adopt the state regulations if it chooses.
Incumbent City Councilwoman Molly MacDonald and Planning Commission Chair Jeff Parkhill have filed so far
The race for Wayzata City Council is underway as the filing window from August 2nd through August 16th is now open.
Wayzata City Council member Molly MacDonald has filed to enter the race.
MacDonald was previously appointed to a vacant seat by the Council when then Councilwoman Johanna Mouton was elected Mayor in the 2020 election and began serving her term in 2021.
Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
Councilman Jeff Buchanan’s 4 year term also expires at the end of the year.
Buchanan did not immediately return a message inquiring as to whether or not he intends to run again. He previously served as the Chair of the Planning Commission and was elected in the 2018 election.
Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
Planning Commissioner Jeff Parkhill has filed to run for Wayzata City Council. He currently serves as the Chair.
Parkhill was a finalist for Mouton’s vacant seat appointment in 2020.
Submitted photo.
Interested parties may pick up an application at Wayzata City Hall during business hours. The filing fee is $5, and candidates must be 21 years of age or older and be a Wayzata resident for 30 days prior to the Nov. 8th election.
*Filing information current as of the end of the business day on 08/2/2022.
The Wayzata Planning Commission recommended city staff to draft a denial of a proposed redevelopment concept for the TCF headquarters property on Lake Street on Monday.
This is the third time Lakewest Development has come before the commission to present plans for redeveloping the property at 200 E. Lake Street. In 2020, it presented plans to convert the existing TCF Bank into condominiums and construct new residential buildings.
TCF Building in Wayzata. Photo Dan Gustafson.
In 2021, it returned to the commission with a plan to demolish the TCF building and construct two new residential buildings.After the previous two denials, the developer took feedback from the commission as well as the public through a neighborhood meeting in January.
The new plan discussed Monday included an underground mechanical parking system, 32 condominiums and retail space. There would also be pocket parks on the property, and 25-foot facade breaks every 150 feet. The development would include two buildings, referred to as east and west buildings or ‘building A’ and ‘building B’.
Approval of the plan would have required a zoning amendment to the existing planned urban development to create a new PUD district, design standards deviations and a shoreland impact plan study.Consultant Eric Zweber said 66-percent of the parking under the east building is beneath groundwater elevation, as well as 17-percent of the west building’s parking.
More than 100 pages of public comments were received, with many of them noting concern over tearing down the TCF building, losing views of the lake, the proximity of the redevelopment near the BNSF railroad tracks and increases in traffic. There was also a petition which received more than 400 signatures from residents and 1100 signatures in total in about a week opposing the development plans.
200 Lake Street East – Proposed Site. Image courtesy Lakewest Development.
Curt Fretham, chief manager of Lakewest Development, said his development team has tried to be creative to meet requirements in the city’s design standards and comprehensive plan.
“We did that,” Fretham said of a number of changes his team was asked to make. “You asked us in initial meetings to reduce mass, provide more open space. You asked us in other words to make it smaller. You also asked us to increase density or in other words, make it bigger. We’ve been asked to do a lot of things. And we have been accepting and approving of those asks. All we really want to do is use our property in a reasonable manner.”
The applicant had several consultants discuss the concept further, addressing how the mechanical parking system works, the traffic impact of the new residential and commercial space and the architectural design.
“We’re frankly surprised, given all the consultants they brought tonight, they did not do a railroad study,” said Kendra Lindahl during the public forum. “It’s not that it could happen. It has happened.”
Lindahl referenced a train derailment which struck another site along the railroad corridor, though commissioner Peggy Douglas corrected that it did not happen on the site in question. The south side of the property is marked by the railroad tracks about 25-feet from the proposed building.
Lindahl asked what value this development would bring to the city, which Brad Hoyt echoed. Hoyt is the owner of Ventana Apartments.
“This building is only 35 years old. It’s not even depreciated yet,” he said. “My view is the project is already reasonably developed and should remain in its state.”
Lindsay Bashioum, who previously served on the planning commission, said the commission got it right the first two times it denied development plans.
“There’s no public benefit that isn’t already there,” Bashioum said.
The commission thanked the applicant for coming forward with a new concept for a third time, remarking on some of the things they liked about the new plans. They also said many of their concerns remain.
“This does not depict the charm of a lakeside community,” Douglas said. “I’m worried about the precedent for future development.”
“I think it’s too big to be charming,” Commissioner Jeff Parkhill added.
Commissioner Ken Sorenson motioned to direct staff to draft a denial of application. Commissioner Jennifer Severson seconded and the commission voted unanimously in favor of denial.
The Wayzata City Council Appointed Molly MacDonald at last Tuesday night’s Council Meeting. After what staff described as “an expedited but thorough interview process and discussion,” the Council made the appointment unanimously.
10 applicants interviewed for the one open position left by Johanna McCarthy‘s move from Councilwoman to Mayor. McCarthy ran unopposed for Mayor in November of 2020 after Ken Willcox announced he would not seek the position again.
Interviews with the candidates were conducted via Zoom as part of the City’s workshop agenda earlier in the evening.
Other finalists for the position included Jeff Parkhill and Lindsay Bashioum.
“The Wayzata City Council is excited to welcome it’s newest City Council member, Molly MacDonald, after considering a number of exceptionally committed, qualified and passionate members of the community, ” stated Mayor Johanna McCarthy after the appointment.
McCarthy continued, “As a life long member of the community and small business owner, Mrs. MacDonald will bring a fresh perspective and new insights to council deliberations. We look forward to her upcoming swearing in and the many contributions she will make to the council and community.”
City Manager Jeff Dahl also echoed similar comments in a statement, “In their discussions, the City Council highlighted Mrs. MacDonald’s lifelong commitment to the community, understanding of the community’s vision and values, her value of perspective as a small business owner, and her obvious overall passion to make the community even better. Staff and the Council are thrilled to have Mrs. MacDonald as a part of Wayzata’s leadership team!”
MacDonald answered several questions posed by Wayzata.com after the appointment:
WDC: What made you run for the open council seat?
MM: “The support and encouragement from family, friends and my network in the community gave me the confidence to apply for the City Council position. I was and am reminded daily that my core values for Wayzata align with a most engaged public.”
WDC: What stands out to you about growing up here?
MM: “How many of us are still here! Wayzata is idyllic. As I grew and expanded my world that became clear to me.”
WDC: How will growing up here guide your decision making in the future?
MM: “Our values are rooted in our past. My memories of the Wayzata 25 years ago will guide me when making decisions for its future.”
WDC: What is your vision for the future of Wayzata?
MM: “What I’ve learned from living though last year is hindsight truly is 20/20. It’s even more apparent to me that Wayzata needs to progress forward steadily and thoughtfully. I don’t want to see the city make regretful decisions. I hope to be a thoughtful, forward looking councilor with a clear memory of the past. Those two ideals need to work harmoniously. The community speaks about charm. It’s the word most people use when they talk about what they value in Wayzata. Charm is earned and cannot be replicated and manufactured. Charm is authentic and I believe that is what the residents, the business owners and all of our visitors want to see. It’s the core value that I want to represent in the City Council.”
MacDonald will be sworn in at the February 2nd City Council meeting.
The following persons have filed an application seeking appointment for the open City Council seat which was vacated by newly elected Mayor Johanna McCarthy.
Greg Flannigan
Adam Eig
Jeff Parkhill
Nate Leding
Lindsay Bashioum
Terri Fox
Margaret Runyon
Daniel Drotning
Jennifer Severson
Molly MacDonald
Interviews will be held via Zoom video conferencing from 4:00 – 6:30 pm during a Council Workshop scheduled for January 19th.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your Wayzata City Council news leader.
Winter doesn’t officially begin until Dec. 21. But we’ve already had a taste of it – a cold, snowy mid-October dose.
Domed shelters outside Hotel Landing, Wayzata
And with colder weather comes greater concern about the spread of COVID-19.
It’s a pretty simple idea – folks who live in Wayzata or any other place in Minnesota generally spend more time outdoors when the weather is warmer. Of course, there are many outdoor enthusiasts who love the winter weather, but for the most part, Minnesotans spend more time inside when temperatures drop.
Spending more time indoors in small or larger gatherings lends itself to greater transmission of the disease. Also, similar viruses survive better in lower humidity which of course winter is known for. Finally, the holidays will present their own challenges – indoor family gatherings, potential travel, etc.
But let’s face it, we’ve stared down a lot of challenges in 2020 and we’ve marched on.
Hand washing, mask wearing, and other precautions have helped and will continue to help.
The health of Wayzata’s business community is also something to watch. Sure, there have been some businesses that have closed shop and moved out, but there are others that have specifically chosen Wayzata as their new home. And the mainstays have weathered the storm – adjusting the way they do business to accommodate a new reality and keep serving their customers.
Back to the indoor/outdoor idea again. It’s tough to beat Wayzata on a warm, sunny day. But this community also has fantastic outdoor winter recreation choices. And this may just be the winter season you make that extra effort to put on an extra layer and get outside.
Soon Klapprich Park will transform from a baseball field and dog park to a skating and hockey rink. And down the road, once the ice depth of Lake Minnetonka is at a safe level, ice fishing and cross-country skiing will be an option.
The Wayzata Parks and Trails Board recently discussed potential outdoor winter activities on the newly constructed Lake Street park plaza.
Currently, the city of Wayzata is working with Hennepin County on a Business Assistance Grant in order to increase winter activity with outdoor dining spaces, events and programming.
During the last Parks and Trails Board meeting, members discussed potential outdoor activities for the plaza.
Some of the ideas floated were curling, watching sporting events on a large screen, bonfires, snow sculptures and music. Stay tuned on that.
Yes, there are reasons why there may be a COVID surge in the coming weeks. But we’ve had nearly nine months of preparation and plenty of opportunities to make outdoor recreation a safe option during the cold months ahead.
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