Wazyata housing plan making slow headway

Wazyata housing plan making slow headway Plans for Enchanted Woods, a proposed residential development in Wayzata, have come before the city for the fourth time in almost two years, and they still have not gained full approval.

At its Jan. 2 meeting, the City Council gave the project a mixed response -- a denial, an approval and a tabling of action. The six-lot residential project would be built on 12 acres north of McGinty Road and south of Holdridge Circle.

The property is broken up into two parcels, and the council approved a conditional-use permit for one, at 1630 Holdridge Circle, but tabled action on the second at 1640 Holdridge. The council also directed city employees to prepare a resolution denying the project's preliminary plat.

This is the fourth concept the property owner, Lecy Bros. Homes, has submitted, according to the city. In 2006, the council unanimously rejected a plan to split the site into 13 lots. In 2007, the council denied a plan for 11 lots. Later that year, the developer submitted a plan for a 10-lot subdivision but withdrew it after the planning commission recommended it be rejected.

With the current plan, the planning commission again has recommended denying it. Members cited concerns about how the development would get its public water, affect wetlands, fit with the city's comprehensive plan and affect traffic.

The council will consider the project again on Jan. 22, said City Planner Loren Gordon.

Seats on watershed board to be filled Two seats on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board are open for appointment, with three-year terms beginning in March. The two current members, Pamela Blixt and Richard Miller, are seeking reappointment.

Board members must live in the district and cannot be public officers in county, state or federal government. Cities in the district include Minnetonka Beach, Orono, St. Bonifacius, Spring Park, Greenwood, Long Lake, Tonka Bay, Excelsior, Mound and Wayzata. The district also includes portions of Deephaven, Golden Valley, Independence, Medina, Woodland, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetrista, Plymouth, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Maple Plain, Minnetonka, Richfield and Shorewood.

The application deadline is Feb. 20, with interviews to be held at a committee meeting of the Hennepin County Board.

For more information or to receive an application, contact Yolanda McCrary at 612-348-3257 or write A2400 Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis, 55487. Applications also are available on the Internet at www.hennepin.us under the link for "your county government/citizen advisory boards."

Dunwoody to open southwest satellite Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis is opening operations in the southwest metro area by providing some certificate and degree programs at the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative (CSEC) main campus in Chaska. The partnership will be called the Dunwoody College of Technology, Southwest Metro Campus. It will start in March, offering two-year degree programs in computers, management, manufacturing and land surveying.

Campgrounds are open for reservations The Carver County Parks Department is accepting campground reservations for Baylor Regional Park and shelter reservations for Lake Minnewashta and Lake Waconia regional parks. Baylor, located 2 1/2 miles north of Norwood Young America on County Road 33, has 50 campsites, 35 utility sites with water and electrical hookups, and 15 non-utility sites for tents or popup campers.

All shelters have water and electrical service and the Community Room at Baylor Regional Park has air conditioning. Rates for 2008 range from $40-$250; there are reduced rates Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. Discounted rates are available for nonprofit groups. For additional park information or to make a reservation, contact the parks office at 952-466-5250 or go to www.co.carver.mn.us/parks.

Nature center seeks board members Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield is seeking applications for the Friends of Wood Lake Board of Directors, which raises funds for and promotes the center. The board meets on the third Thursday of the month. Applications are available at the center, at 6710 Lake Shore Drive in Richfield. Or call 612-861-9365 or go to www. woodlakenaturecenter.org.

A chance to strap on some skis for free Carver County parks are offering a free day of cross-country skiing.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19, the equipment at two regional parks is free, although users are subject to the usual parking fees -- $5 for a daily permit or $22 for an annual pass.

Ski trails at Baylor Regional Park are groomed with a double track for traditional skiing, and trails at Lake Minnewashta are groomed with a single track for traditional skiing along with an area for skate skiing.

For more information, visit www.co.carver.mn.us/parks or call 952-466-5250.

STAFF REPORTS