Wayzata Weekly

City Calendar

Planning Commission Meeting Wednesday September 1st 6:30 p.m.

Featured News

New 9/11 Memorial to be Placed in Panoway Plaza Park on Lake Street This Month

In partnership with The Wayzata Conservancy, the City will be honoring the 20th Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. A memorial monument will be placed in the new Plaza Park along the shores of Lake Minnetonka in downtown Wayzata.

Construction Impacts

Access to the plaza area will be limited August 16th through September 3rd as the completion of the 9/11 Memorial is underway. Specifically, fencing will be up for about two weeks and installation will require larger trucks on the 25 - 27th of August. Thank you for your patience during this special memorial installation process.

Click here to learn about the memorial and events

Important Updates

What is happening with the boardwalk?
Why is there fencing up in Panoway?

We had so much fun sitting down with Andrew Mullin last week on the Mayor Minutes Podcast. Andrew is the current Chair of The Wayzata Conservancy, and stopped by to discuss what's next for Phase II of the Panoway project and to dive deeper into the new 9/11 Memorial coming to Lake Street in September. Other Discussion topics included the boardwalk, the Section Foreman House, the environmental focus of Phase II and more.

Listen Here:

https://anchor.fm/mayorminutes

Former Mayor Willcox & Retired Chief Risvold to be Grand Marshals in Wayzata Parade

The Wayzata Area Chamber has selected the 2021 Co-Grand Marshals for the James J. Hill Days parade to be former Mayor Ken Willcox and retired Police Chief Michael Risvold! Mark your calendar and don't miss them leading the parade on Sunday, September 12 at 3 p.m. on Lake Street in downtown Wayzata.

Nick Kieser Transitions to New Parks Planner Role after 3 Years as Assistant Planner

This month, Nick Kieser started as the new Parks Planner. He previously served as the Assistant Planner for three years. In his new role, Nick will be leading the implementation of the Parks and Trails Master Plan, be the staff liaison for the Parks and Trails Board, Panoway District Committee, and the Energy and Environment Committee and will work to enhance all community amenities and infrastructure.

City Hall Welcomes a New Assistant Planner, Valerie Quarles, on September 7th

Valerie is University of Minnesota graduate, an avid reader, hiking enthusiast and has experience with the Metropolitan Council, the City of Golden Valley and is a Planning Commissioner in her hometown of Little Canada. Valerie will start on September 7th!

Masks Required in City Hall Community
Room for Public Meetings

With Hennepin County showing "high" transition numbers, at this time, masks are strongly encouraged for the public and will now be required in the Community Room at City Hall for all Public Meetings. City Staff is now required to wear them indoors.

Please continue to tune in to CDC guidance updates to be aware of new and relevant risk factors in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Click here to learn more

Wayzata Wine & Spirits Now Offering Online
In-Store and Curbside Pick Up

New Pick up hours are 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Order online and pickup in store or curbside!

Click here to learn more

Upcoming Events & Activities

September 9th

Plug It In! Electric Vehicle Event

Join us at City Hall on September 9th at 5:30 p.m. for an exciting electric vehicle event. Participants can check out a variety of plug-in vehicles and talk with owners about their experiences on driving, owning, and charging EVs in Minnesota. Local auto dealers will have EVs (new and used) available to view. Electric bikes will also be displayed. There will be two presentations beginning at 7:00 p.m. featuring J. Drake Hamilton, the Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy, and Jukka Kukkonen, Chief EV Educator at Shift2Electric.

Hosted by the Wayzata Energy and Environment Committee, Fresh Energy, and Shift2Electric.

Click to see event flyer

September 11th

Panoway Memorial Dedication Event

There will be a public memorial event in the morning on September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at 10:00 a.m. The event will be in the Birch Grove in the Plaza Park in downtown Wayzata and will include special guests and an unveiling of the memorial.

There will also be a 9/11 photography exhibition at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts featuring photography from Minnesotans Lisa Poseley, Chris Kern, and Dan Murphy. The exhibit will be open to the public beginning on Friday September 10th and will run through October. Gallery hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4: 00 p.m. (Monday - Saturday).

September 10th - 12th

James J. Hill Days Returns to Lake Street

The whistle’s blowing and James J. Hill Days is just around the bend, coming September 10, 11 & 12 to the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Hosted by the Wayzata Area Chamber, this event will feature three days of family-friendly fun. From engine to caboose, there’s something for everyone with fireworks, big-name concerts, carnival, food trucks, beer gardens, open-air street market, dachshund races, parade, and so much more.

For more information, visit JamesJHillDays.com.

Click here to volunteer and help make it happen.

September 19 - October 10th

Sunday Music in the Park

Sunday Music in the Park is BACK! Wayzata Parks & Trails has a fantastic music lineup this fall. Starting September 19th, there will be performers on the Great Lawn every Sunday in front of the Hotel Landing from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. through October 10th.

Click here to learn more

September 30th

Mystery Wine Pull at Wayzata Wine & Spirits Benefiting Hammer Residences

Donate $20 to Hammer on September 30th from 5-7 p.m. at the store and walk away with a mystery bottle of wine valued from $20-$70! All proceeds go to Hammer Residences, Inc., a Wayzata based nonprofit providing adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience life to the fullest. Cash only event. The Mystery Wine Pull will go until in the wine is gone!

Community Development Update

Tell Us What You Think about Trees

Please take this survey to review the Tree Preservation Ordinance (§936 and §710). The survey results will be reviewed and discussed to determine any potential changes to the Tree Preservation Ordinance to be recommended to the City Council. The goal is to decide if any changes are necessary to the Ordinance to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural environment of the community.

Click here to take the survey

Upcoming Hearings

Development Application for 1640 Holdridge Circle
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on September 1 to consider a development application from the applicant Reed Lewis to replace a driveway at 1640 Holdridge Circle. The driveway replacement would increase the impervious surface on the property over the City Code requirement of 25%. To accommodate this increase in impervious surface, Reed Lewis is requesting a Variance from the impervious surface requirement. Click here to learn more

Development Application Submitted for Rice Street Townhomes at 520, 524, 530, and 534 Rice Street E
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on September 1 to consider a development application from the applicant Pillar Homes. The proposed project would construct four total townhome units in two separate buildings. A Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Development Agreement was approved for these properties in 2006. The applicant proposes to construct the buildings in a similar manner as the approved plans with modifications. Click here to learn more

Proposals Under Review

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to Allow the Keeping of Chickens in some Residential Districts
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 16 to consider a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment from City Code Chapter 930 – Animals, to allow the keeping of chickens in the R-1 Zoning District, R-1A Zoning District, and PUD Zoning District if (a) the property is currently a single family residential use and (b) over 40,000 square feet in area, provided that the properties meet specific requirements and regulations. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the requests. A report outlining this recommendation will be reviewed by the Commission at their meeting on September 1.
Click here to learn more

Development Application Submitted for Whiting Residence at 611 Bushaway Road
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 16 to consider a development application from the applicant(s) David & Cathy Whiting to remove the existing home and build a new single-family home. The application includes a Variance from the Shoreland Overlay minimum setback requirement. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the requests. A report outlining this recommendation will be reviewed by the Commission at their meeting on September 1. Click here to learn more

Development Application Submitted for Good Clinic at 803 Lake Street East
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 16 to consider a development application from the applicant The Good Clinic, LLC to operate a primary care medical clinic with a retail component at 803 Lake Street East. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the requests. A report outlining this recommendation will be reviewed by the Commission at their meeting on September 1. Click here to learn more

Development Application for Moments of Wayzata at 163 Wayzata Blvd W
The City Council will review an application on August 24 by TMSC of Wayzata, LLC for a renovation of and addition to the existing building at 163 Wayzata Blvd (formerly operated as Meridian Manor) for a senior living and memory care facility. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the requests. On August 24, the City Council directed staff to prepare a Resolution with findings denying the application requests, to be reviewed at the Council meeting on September 7. Click here to learn more

Development Application for Ventana Apartments at 253 Lake Street East
The City Council will review an application on August 24 by Berry Inc. for a Conditional Use Permit for parking fee-in-lieu for three parking stalls at 253 Lake Street East. The applicant proposes to include a new fitness room that removes three parking stalls in the existing building that is under construction. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request. On August 24, the City Council adopted a Resolution approving the request. Click here to learn more

Proposal Withdrawn

Development Application for 200 Lake St E
The applicant, Lake West Development LLC, has withdrawn the development application that held a public hearing on the August 2 Planning Commission meeting for the construction of two separate, three-story buildings containing office and restaurant uses within the first story and 35 multiple-family dwellings units within the second and third stories of the property located at 200 East Lake Street. The proposed plans require a Planned Unit Development Concept Plan review. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the requests. The applicant proposes to bring forward a new development application at a future Planning Commission meeting.
Click here to learn more

Public Works Update

CenterPoint Energy Gas Main Replacement

CenterPoint Energy will be replacing gas main pipes beneath the streets on Broadway Avenue North (between Ridgeview Drive and the Luce Line Regional Trail), Ridgeview Drive, Ridgeview Lane, Margaret Circle, Far Hill Road, and Far Hill Court. Work is expected to begin in late August, and be completed by the end of the year.

For more information click here.

Marina Parking

The permit parking along the north side of the marina will be condensed in the coming weeks, to accommodate additional public parking while the new parking lot, behind Ventana and Wayzata Blu, is constructed.

Lake & Barry Parking Lot

This parking lot, behind Ventana and Wayzata Blu, will be constructed over the next several weeks. Concrete curbs were installed recently, and the first layer of pavement is anticipated to occur before the end of the month. It will then be available for public parking and bike/trail users on weekends.

Street Resurfacing

Select streets will be resurfaced in the coming weeks including:

Barry Avenue South
Benton Avenue
Benton Alley
Indian Mound Street (west of Walker Avenue)
Minnetonka Avenue South
Shady Lane
Shadyway Road

Construction is expected to begin this month, following CenterPoint Energy’s gas main replacement project and will be completed by the end of September. Disruptions to traffic on any given street will be limited to a 2-3-week period.

Special Event Permits

Staff has processed or is processing the following Special Event permits.
(Staff is aware of more events that require a permit but application has not been made)

Josephina Valet Parking: April - October
Wai Nani Surf, Paddle & Pedal: June - September
Wayzata Farmer's Market: June - October
Plug it In (City Hall): September 9th
Wayzata Beach Bash: September 10-11th
James J Hill Days: September 10-12th
The Gathering (St. Bart's): September 17th
CrossFit Event (Wayzata Beach): September 24th