Chanhassen resident Nick Gardino is asking the City Council to consider a new ordinance to better regulate the approval process for developments outside the community’s borders that may ultimately impact taxpayers.
During the Council’s June 9 meeting, Mayor Elise Ryan indicated that the elected officials would discuss Gardino’s “citizen action request” at a future work session.
Gardino said he’s concerned about a proposed 15-home development in neighboring Victoria along Kings Road.
He claims the property is “landlocked” and would require homeowners to use Chanhassen streets to access the area. The additional homes would also mean more pressure on Chanhassen parks, utility infrastructure, law enforcement and more as the area population rises, he suggested.
Of particular concern, Gardino claimed, is a new request from the developer to reduce lot sizes from 12,000 square feet to just 9,100 square feet. If that request is approved by Victoria, Gardino estimated that as many as 220 homes could be constructed on the site.
He asked city officials to set up an official review process for developments outside the city that may negatively impact Chanhassen, its residents and the city’s budget.
“Situations like that, where we’re making connections to other cities, should be open to review by the City Council and to hearings and open for discussion,” Gardino said.
Gardino claims the situation along Kings Road won’t be a “one-off” problem that the city faces, as development pressure could come from different directions surrounding Chanhassen.
He said an ordinance addressing such issues is important to “preserve the beauty of our city and safety of our residents.”
