The Hotel Victoria project is another step closer to reality, receiving unanimous approval by the Victoria City Council at its May 11 meeting.

The planned 46-unit boutique hotel had stalled over concerns that only 41 underground, valet parking spots were being provided beneath the building. City code required 46 parking spots for that business.

In addition, initial plans called for the removal of eight existing parking spots along Stieger Lake Lane and Randy’s Way to accommodate the new hotel building. Council members previously expressed concern about losing those spots, noting that downtown Victoria already faces parking issues during busy times, and the hotel would exacerbate the situation.

At Monday’s meeting, City Planner Brian McCann reported that the project developer — Mary Meuwissen, a real estate professional and former Victoria mayor — had amended the hotel proposal to address some of the parking issues.

The new design calls for expanded bump-outs on the north side of Stieger Lake Lane that will add four additional parking spots. Three additional parking stalls have also been added to the south side of that road. In addition, the developer has added an additional spot near the hotel entrance.

“This gets them to a net zero of on-street parking,” McCann told the council. “But it does require some sidewalk removal, grading in the area, and a 160-foot retaining wall.”

Because Carver County owns the property adjacent to Stieger Lake Lane (due to its proximity to Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail), the project modification does require the county’s approval before construction can begin, McCann noted.

In the end, the council unanimously approved the preliminary plat, a conditional use permit for a hotel within the central business district, and a commercial use in the shoreland overlay district. A variance was also approved to increase to the maximum impervious surface requirement for the building site from 80% to approximately 88.3%.

McCann added that a conditional use permit is still required for the project because the hotel would be providing just 41 parking spots instead of the required 46. A shared-parking arrangement was okayed.

Council Member Greg Evansky called the design changes that addressed the parking situation a huge improvement, adding the project will be a game-changer for Victoria.

“This is just more of a home run,” he said. “I think it’s great to figure out the parking side of it. I think that’s important to everyone.”

Council Member Chad Roberts said everyone agrees that the hotel will be a big asset for the community.

“We just had concerns about some of the parking spots we lost,” he said. “Now that we’re back to net zero, I don’t see any reason to not move forward. I’m glad we were able to work it out.”

Council Member Andy Reiff applauded the development, noting it will bring “wallets into Victoria.”

According to preliminary plans, the 46-unit hotel will be constructed adjacent to the existing Winchester & Rye restaurant and will include various meeting rooms, a fitness center, a breakfast bar, and the valet parking garage.

As far as a possible construction timeline, Meuwissen told the council it will take about four months to finalize construction drawings and to order building materials. The goal is to begin construction in the fall, she noted.

“If we miss the fall, it won’t be for another year,” she said.

Once the project is underway, Meuwissen said the hotel will take about 15 months to complete.

Following Monday’s vote, Meuwissen said she is happy that the council has approved the project.

“We are very excited to build a five-star boutique hotel in downtown Victoria,” she said. “We believe it will be a wonderful boost to the small business retailers and restaurant’s.”

In a previous interview, Meuwissen said Victoria has a lot to offer visitors who might frequent a boutique hotel. Parks, biking trails, quality golf courses, the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, wineries and lakes are nearby assets that attract people, she suggested.

In addition, Minnesota’s No. 1 wedding venue, Bavaria Downs, is nearby and attracts 800 to 1,000 visitors on busy weekends, Meuwissen noted. Because there is no hotel in Victoria, all those wedding guests end up staying in communities farther away.