Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Waconia City Council held its regular meeting on July 20, 2026. The meeting, originally scheduled for 6:00 PM per the published agenda, was called to order at 6:30 PM according to the minutes (a potential discrepancy between the agenda and minutes). The council addressed a public hearing on an annexation petition, heard public comments regarding proposed changes to cannabis retail buffer requirements, approved a large consent agenda, and took action on several major council business items including a cannabis zoning ordinance amendment, a small area plan for a key commercial site, a site plan for a senior affordable housing project, and amendments to downtown parking regulations. All votes were unanimous (4‑0) with Council Member Coleman absent.
All 23 items on the consent agenda were approved by a single 4‑0 motion. Items included:
Community Development Director Lane Braaten reviewed the existing buffer requirements (1,000‑foot school buffer measured property‑line‑to‑property‑line; 500‑foot park buffer) and presented options based on council direction: surveying other communities, contacting the school district, and preparing “what‑if” scenarios. The school district superintendent expressed no concerns about buffer reductions, focusing instead on enforcement of age restrictions and marketing restrictions. Staff reported that changing the school buffer measurement to building‑to‑building and reducing the park buffer to 250 feet would make 10 B‑1/B‑2 parcels eligible, including 1320 Mill Lane (the J. Carver site), portions of the former UFC site, two downtown parcels, and five parcels near Target. Minnesota law limits Waconia to two cannabis retail licenses (one was approved on the consent agenda). The council discussed the specific situation at the middle school, where a large parking lot and Highway 5 separate the school from the potential retail location. City Administrator Shane Fineran clarified that onsite consumption under state law is limited to edible products only; smoking and vaping are prohibited indoors. The age of purchase is 21.
Lance Bernard of TC2 presented the draft small area plan for this 9‑acre city‑owned site. Community engagement included a June 2 open house and an online survey (92 responses) showing a strong preference for commercial over residential uses. The draft plan presents several development alternatives, including a commercial‑only option added after Planning Commission feedback, and emphasizes design principles for a “community commercial node” rather than a gateway. The plan will serve as a development framework for future RFPs and developer negotiations.
Lane Braaten introduced the site plan for a three‑story, 43‑unit affordable senior apartment building (55+ years old, no minors) on land zoned R‑5. The project mirrors the Trails Edge South building (60 units) constructed in 2022. Developer Allison Strike, Executive Director of Carver County Community Development Agency, explained that the CDA purchased the land in 2009, secured 4% Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits through Minnesota Housing, and will serve households at or below 50% of Area Median Income ($46,060 for one person; $52,600 for two), with 12 units restricted to 30% AMI. Construction is expected to start by mid‑October to early November 2026 with a 12‑month schedule and occupancy in late 2027. The site plan meets all zoning requirements. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously.
City Administrator Shane Fineran presented the ordinance amending Chapter 630 of the City Code. Key changes: (a) extend time‑restricted parking on designated downtown streets (Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM) from 90 minutes to 4 hours; (b) update the list of affected streets to reflect current commercial activity (including Vine, Olive, Main, and 2nd Street segments); (c) designate Parking Lot #2 (Elm and 1st Street, to be combined with the former City Hall lot) as a safe‑harbor location for winter parking; (d) allow the city to post signs for longer‑term parking (up to 72 hours) in municipal lots at its discretion. No changes to truck parking, winter parking, or overnight parking restrictions.
One and welcome to our Monday night, July 20th, uh two thousand twenty six city council meeting. Thanks for attending uh in person here and those that are viewing online as well. Uh the council's only meeting once in July, and so we had a couple of weeks off there and uh we'll be back again in two weeks on Monday, August third. So we're glad you're with us. Um hope you had a good fourth of July celebration and you honored America in the two fiftieth in a good way, and I'm sure you did. Uh please note uh Sue is noting uh an attendee right now, but you'll note that everybody is here tonight except for Mr. Coleman who is uh away tonight. So ladies and gentlemen, if you were able to please stand and remove your hats and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God. Uh council members, uh, we have an agenda here tonight. Uh that I would like to uh have someone uh make a motion that we approve our agenda if you could do so. Council Member Gleason, thank you. Do I have a second? Councilmember Siddons, thank you very much. All of all in favor? Aye. Very good. We have an agenda tonight. Uh we will start tonight's meeting with a public hearing and the public hearing is regarding annexation petition. Uh for Tamarek land and Carver County Parcels. Uh, do I have a motion to open the public hearing? Councilmember Gleason, thank you. Second, Councilmember uh Greens, thank you very much. All in favor? Aye. Opposed. Very good. We have a public hearing and we'll turn it over to Abdi. Good evening, Abdi. Uh good evening, Mayor. Uh, council members. Today we'll be talking about the annexation between uh Lake Town Township, Tamarek land and uh Carver County. Uh this wanted to pull up the map of the city boundaries as well as the area to be annexed. It's gonna be located in the northeast side of the city. And on top of that, I just wanted to put a clearer picture on here to kind of put in a bigger view. Uh the total area to be annexed is gonna be a hundred and thirty-nine point zero eight acres. Uh the Lake Town Township has conditionally approved their annexation on the July thirteenth meeting. On top of that, I just wanted to point out where Time Rick lands in the woodland trail property is located. It's gonna be thir sixty-one point thir 61.38 acres. Uh the preliminary plant was already approved in the uh PUD zoning requests as well in April of t this year for the development of a hundred and twenty-seven housing units. On top of that, just wanted to mention that the Carver County properties are located within this annexation with 77.7 acres.