01-26-2025 CC WS1
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
January 26, 2026
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilmember McDonald,
Councilmember von Oven, Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember Schubert
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: none
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Patrick Gavin, Communications
Manager; Eric Maass, Community Development Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director;
Jenny Potter, City Clerk
PUBLIC PRESENT: Mark Nordlund, Level 7; Russ McGinty, North Central Real Estate; Harry
Schleeter, Broadway Equipment; Jesse Robbins, Pique Private Client; Kendra Lindahl, Landform
Pleasant View Road Improvements - Concept Design Review
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer, discussed a concept design review for the
Pleasant View Road Improvements project, continuing a public engagement process that began
with a community open house and resident survey in November 2025. Staff presented two
alternative design approaches and sought early council direction as the city moves toward
refining a preferred option.
Mr. Howley summarized survey feedback, noting strong support for addressing deteriorating
pavement and a clear emphasis on minimizing impacts to private property, followed by concerns
about speeding, bike and pedestrian safety, and overall cost. Staff used those priorities to shape a
revised concept focused on reducing the scale of reconstruction.
The City Council reviewed two options. Option 1 would fully reconstruct the corridor, including
roadway widening, stormwater infrastructure, and safety upgrades, would be planned as a 2-yr
construction project, and comes with an estimated construction cost of approximately $8.7
million. Option 2 would use a full-depth reclamation approach to rehabilitate the existing
pavement while still incorporating targeted drainage improvements, spot repairs to utilities and
corridor-wide safety measures and be done during a single year of construction.
That option carries an estimated construction cost of approximately $2.8 million.
The City Council members expressed a preference for advancing the full depth
reclamation option, citing lower cost and reduced impact to private property. Staff was directed
to proceed with design and planning for that approach, and to evaluate further the single year of
construction in 2027.
City Council Work Session Minutes – January 26, 2026
2
Avienda Update
Mark Nordlund, Level 7, presented an update on the proposed Avienda development. Level
Seven discussed recent activity and anticipated next steps ahead of a formal Planned Unit
Development amendment.
The developers reported progress on the site, including the start of construction on 412 luxury
apartment units by Dorn Companies and the signing of a lease with a grocer for a 65,000 square
foot store that would include a wine and spirits component and four fuel pumps.
The City Council expressed broad concern about a perceived shift away from the original vision
of a high-end, walkable destination toward a more auto-oriented, commercial development, and
emphasized a desire for future proposals to better reflect long-standing community expectations.
Mayor Ryan recessed the work session at 6:54 P.M.
Mayor Ryan reconvened the work session at 7:33 P.M.
Facility Naming
The City Council discussed the proposed naming of the city’s new community center, a topic
that grew out of earlier planning for the Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center
and subsequent resident feedback about confusion over the facility’s identity. Staff outlined the
rationale for considering a more straightforward name and shared a recommendation to adopt
“Chanhassen Community Center” to better reflect the building’s role as the city’s primary,
community-owned facility. The City Council agreed to make this change.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 8:36 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk