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Hello Chanhassen Residents,
Thank you to those who shared feedback from my last email asking for 2024 priority suggestions. I appreciate hearing from you. Please see below for an update on a variety of topics.
City Council
- At our November meetings, we continued discussions on the 2024 budget and levy items. The final levy will be set on December 11 at 7:00 p.m. The preliminary levy is set for a 7.4% increase – approximately a $97 annual/$8 month increase on the average home, but City Council will continue to discuss options for a reduction.
- At our Work Session on Monday, November 27, we will review the Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex plans to determine what, if any, are our next steps.
- We continue to make progress on the design of our future Civic Campus. The City Hall and Senior Center has been designed to near completion and we are refining the various park features to address the feedback we heard from the community. Take a look at the first Civic Campus renderings online.
- On Monday, November 13, the City Council rejected the request from Café Zupas to allow for a drive-thru for their proposed location (Southwest corner of the Lund’s & Byerly’s parking lot). The applicant is still able to submit a development application. However, a drive-thru will not be permitted. The decision supports our newly approved downtown design standards.
Road Projects
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Galpin Boulevard is still slated to be reconstructed in 2024. Tree clearing, stormwater pond grading, and utility work are planned to begin over the winter, with road construction to take place starting in the spring with significant completion at the end of 2024. I have heard from many residents regarding the recent pothole patchwork. Currently, Galpin is a county road; however, after the project is complete, Galpin will become a city-owned road. I share this because the condition of Galpin has greatly deteriorated over the years and the most recent pothole patchwork was completed to have the road passable throughout the winter until the reconstruction begins next spring. We know the road is in very poor shape and share in your eager anticipation for the improvements on this stretch of road.
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Minnetonka Middle School West - In partnership with the Minnetonka School District and with funding from the State of Minnesota, a roundabout will be constructed on Highway 41 at Minnetonka Middle School West’s entrance to improve traffic circulation in that area. This joint project is scheduled to begin construction in May 2024, with a projected completion in September. You can see visualizations of how the roundabout will improve traffic flow and learn more about the project here.
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Minnewashta Parkway - A traffic study has been conducted to review the impacts of the upcoming Highway 5 Improvement project along the Arboretum area corridor. Recommendations included various traffic calming measures along the parkway. The city’s Traffic Safety Committee is reviewing the findings and will provide recommendations for both short and long-term improvements. Thank you for the feedback that we have received - your comments are part of the discussion.
Wildlife Management Plan
Following up on a concern that was raised last winter/spring. City staff has been moving forward with the required process as the plan was supported by the City Council. Please see below for details.
- Minnesota DNR requires a permit to implement a deer management plan.
- The Park & Recreation Commission will review the plan at their November 25 meeting.
- The City Council will review the plan in early 2024 - a Public Hearing is required.
- For deer, the city is required to conduct aerial population counts to establish if there is an overpopulation. This can only be done in the winter months when the tree canopy is open.
- We have a contract in place to conduct this count for winter 2024 (soonest possible).
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IF an overpopulation is confirmed, the city would apply for a permit from the DNR to conduct population reduction (if needed) and contract with USDA to perform the reduction. This reduction would be performed in the winter (January-March) of 2025.
- The city is moving as fast as the season-specific process will allow.
- The city is not planning to implement goose or turkey management at this time, but the framework will be in place for HOAs, Associations, or property owners to apply for DNR permits to do so.
I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I feel blessed in so many ways!
Warmest Regards,
Elise Ryan
Mayor
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