What will it take to develop new sections of Waconia to the east?
The Waconia City Council heard a first feasibility report on that at a work session on Monday, July 15. The study was commissioned last fall as development interest grows around two properties.
One property is what is known as the Kirsch site, the other the Falk-Saltire site. Together they represent some 3,400 acres of developable land east of Waconia. Concept plans were first proposed for those sections of property in 2023.
City leaders point out that growth must align with infrastructure, and to develop and serve those areas will require a significant investment in transportation, sewer and water infrastructure.
From a road perspective, that could include a new section of County Highway 92 with roundabouts at Airport Road and County Highway 10. Additional development also will require new trunk sewer utilities and water capacity, according to the study conducted by Bolton & Menk.
Total estimated cost of transportation roundabouts is projected at about $4.3 million each, plus additional costs for potential pedestrian underpass and trail accommodations.
Trunk utility requirements could include two new sanitary sewer lift stations plus new sewer line. Cost to serve the Falk-Saltire site is projected at $5.5 million and almost $7.2 million through the Kirsch site.
Additional water production capacity (wells) and treatment capacity (water treatment facility), plus watermain also are needed in the near term to support growth, according to the study. Total estimated watermain costs to serve the identified properties are estimated at about $6.5 million. Total estimated costs for additional water production, treatment, and storage will require further analysis, said City Engineer Jake Saulsbury.
Some costs will need to be committed by the city, others will be allocated to the developer and benefitting properties
Planning that has already taken place to date includes the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan, capital improvement plan, County Highway 92 planning study, Laketown Township wastewater plan and sewer study, among other studies.
The council is expected to digest the latest East Area development study, and revisit it again at a work session on Aug. 5 and a council meeting on Aug. 19, according to City Administrator Shane Fineran.
Council business
In council business last week, Jacob Coleman was sworn in as Waconia’s newest council member, selected from among 10 applicants to take the seat vacated by Steve Yetzer.
“It’s refreshing to have so many applicants for the position, and we are excited by what Jacob will be bringing to the table from the perspective of a newer and younger family to Waconia,” Mayor Nicole Waldron said after the meeting.
Among agenda items approved at the meeting were a design and site plan for an addition to the Crusher Crossfit building located at 219 Frontage Road East; a variance to allow hardcover improvements, with conditions, about 3 percent beyond maximum for a property at 343 Lakeview Terrace Boulevard; and a zoning appeal from the owners of Bode Gray’s regarding trash enclosures behind the restaurant. The majority agreed that while the trash enclosure does not meet city design standard conditions, the receptacles adequately tie in to the exterior building design.
In other business, the council agreed to allocate a $20,000 portion from its 2024 state local affordable aid to the Carver County Community Development Agency in support of its affordability program efforts locally.
The council also heard from long-time Tour de Tonka organizer Tim Litfin about plans for the large annual bike ride to come through Waconia again, this year on Saturday, Aug. 3. Litfin announced that he will retire from his executive director role after this year’s ride.
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