Wayzata Weekly

City Calendar

Heritage Preservation Board Meeting Monday August 16th 4:30 p.m.

Planning Commission Meeting Monday August 16th 6:30 p.m.

Parks & Trails Board Meeting Wednesday August 18th 6:00 p.m.

Featured News

New 9/11 Memorial Installation to be Placed in Panoway Plaza Park
on Lake Street This Month with Special Event on September 11th

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. The space will offer community members a place to remember and reflect.This memorial will honor one of Wayzata’s native sons Gordy Aamoth Jr., and the lives of all victims of September 11th. This tribute will be a tangible reminder of our nation’s collective strength and resolve.

Memorial Event on 9/11

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).

Out of respect for the families involved, we ask that all media coverage such as filming, taking photographs or executing interviews, take place during a private opening of the photo exhibit on September 9th, but not at the memorial event on Saturday the 11th. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

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

Masks Required in City Hall Community
Room for Public Meetings

To maximize protection from the COVID-19 Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, recent guidance from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas with “substantial” (50-100 cases per 100,000) or “high” (100 or more cases per 100,000) transmission of COVID-19.

The City is closely monitoring numbers in Hennepin County utilizing this tool provided by the CDC.

With Hennepin County showing "high" 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.

Eviction Moratorium Ending Announced

The State of Minnesota has announced an end to the eviction moratorium. You will still be protected from eviction for past due rent if you have applied for COVID-19 rent assistance. If you have experienced hardship due to the pandemic and need assistance to pay your rent or utility bills, you may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance.

Renters in Hennepin County can visit RentHelpMN to apply or http://www.hennepin.us/rent-help for more details.

What is the City doing for Public Safety in the New Panoway Space?

Tune in to hear from Interim Chief of the Wayzata Police Department, Marc Schultz, about how Panoway safety concerns are being addressed, the new bike patrol, the Embedded Social Worker Program and more in Episode 6 of the Mayor Minutes Podcast.

Listen Here:

https://anchor.fm/mayorminutes

Lake Street Water Feature Reopens
with Restricted Hours

Due to State-wide drought conditions, the DNR is requiring reduction/ban of all non-essential outdoor water use. The City of Wayzata has decided to restrict the hours of use of the Lake Street water feature (splash pad) to Friday through Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00 pm.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Learn About the MnDOT Highway 12 Corridor Study and Provide Feedback

MnDOT is working on a safety study on Highway 12 between Independence and Delano

Please visit this web page for more information, to view an educational video, read the documents and provide comment. All comments are accepted until Aug. 18.

Application Deadline Next Week for the New Permit Technician Role at City Hall

The Permit Technician is responsible for technical and administrative support to the Building Inspection Division of the Community Development Department. Under the supervision of the Building Official, the Permit Technician will manage the flow of building permits for residential and commercial construction projects from intake to issuance, including records retention.

Click here to apply

Applications are due August 18th, 2021 at 4:30 p.m

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 and12:00 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 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.

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!

Public Works Update

Marina Parking Condensed

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 and Barry Parking Lot Construction

This parking lot, behind Ventana and Wayzata Blu, will be constructed over the next 3-4 weeks. It will then be available for public parking and bike/trail users on weekends.

Circle A Drive & Hollybrook Road Sidewalks - Complete!

The construction of sidewalks along Circle A Dive and along Hollybrook Road is substantially complete. The contractor will continue to complete street sign installation, crosswalk painting, and other minor cleanup work in the coming weeks.

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 in August, 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
Private Property: August 20th
City Staff Event (Shaver Park): August 26th
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

Community Development Update

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to Allow the Keeping of Chickens in some Residential Districts

The Planning Commission will hold 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.

Click here to learn more

Upcoming Hearings

Development Application Submitted for Rice Street Townhomes at 520, 524, 530, and 534 Rice Street E

At the August 16 Planning Commission meeting, the public hearing for this development application will be continued to the September 1 Planning Commission meeting. The applicant, Pillar Homes, has requested the additional time to modify the plans for the application. Click here to learn more

Development Application Submitted for Whiting Residence at 611 Bushaway Road

The Planning Commission will hold 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. Click here to learn more

Development Application Submitted for Good Clinic at 803 Lake Street East

The Planning Commission will hold 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.
Click here to learn more

Proposals Under Review

Development Application for Moments of Wayzata at 163 Wayzata Blvd W

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 2 to review an application 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. A report outlining this recommendation will be reviewed by the Commission at their meeting on August 16. Click here to learn more

Development Application for Ventana Apartments at 253 Lake Street East

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 2 to review an application 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. A report outlining this recommendation will be reviewed by the Commission at their meeting on August 16.
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

New Development Application Submitted

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