03-23-2025 CC WSCity Council Work Session Minutes – March 23, 2026
1
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
March 23, 2026
Acting Mayor Kimber called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmember McDonald, Councilmember von Oven,
Councilmember Kimber, Councilmember Schubert
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Ryan
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Charlie Howley, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Patrick Gavin, Communications Manager; Eric Maass, Community
Development Director; Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director; Kelly Grinnell, Finance Director; Jenny
Potter, City Clerk
PUBLIC PRESENT: Keving Green, Thielen & Green; Amanda Preisler, Thielen & Green; Bill
Katter, Hempel; Rick McKelvey, Hempel; Sonja Dusil, Hempel; Josh McKinney, Measusure
Environmental Commission Interviews
The City Council conducted interviews for applicants seeking appointment to the Environmental
Commission.
Avienda Update
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, introduced a group from Thielen & Green
Architects, Hempel Real Estate, and Measure Civil Engineering to provide a proposed revised
sketch site plan for the retail portion of the Avienda Development.
The revised concept centers around a traditional retail layout anchored by a grocery store, along
with a mix of retail, restaurant, and service uses. The site is organized into three general areas: a
northern retail zone, a central “entertainment zone” built around a pond and public gathering
space, and a southern area focused on quick-stop retail and drive-through uses. The central
area is designed to serve as a focal point, with walking paths, boardwalk elements, and flexible
plaza space intended for events and everyday use.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on stormwater management challenges. The
development team identified a substantial shortfall in required stormwater capacity, requiring a
larger pond system and additional green space to manage runoff from both the site and
surrounding properties. Councilmembers asked questions about the scale of the issue and raised
questions about feasibility, parking layout, and how these constraints may shape the overall
design. Councilmembers also noted the proposed location of a carwash and questioned if that
was an appropriate location within Avienda for a car wash due to the large amount of space it
occupied as well as whether or not a car wash was appropriate for Avienda.
City Council Work Session Minutes – March 23, 2026
2
The development team plans to refine the proposal and submit a formal application in early
April.
Acting Mayor Kimber recessed the work session at 6:54 P.M.
Acting Mayor Kimber reconvened the work session at 7:56 P.M.
Lake Ann Park Preserve – Next Steps
Jerry Ruegemer, Parks Director, discussed next steps for the Lake Ann Park Preserve, focusing
on the southwest trail corridor between boardwalks A and B. This discussion followed a
February 24 meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission, where commissioners reviewed
the project and provided input on how the corridor should move forward.
Mr. Ruegemer outlined several options that had been evaluated, including pursuing a Phase III
analysis to attempt to build through the identified archaeological site, adjusting the trail
alignment, or paving up to the site and leaving a gap. Each option presented challenges,
particularly related to cost, long-term maintenance, and uncertainty around gaining approval.
Cost estimates for additional study and analysis ranged widely, and there is no guarantee that
further investment would result in an approved trail connection.
The Park and Recreation Commission ultimately recommended delaying construction of the
southern trail segment and leaving the existing natural trail in place. Commissioners expressed a
preference to avoid additional spending on Phase III analysis, supported maintaining a mix of
paved and natural trails, and emphasized the importance of continuing progress on completed
portions of the project, including the northern trail and parking improvements.
The City Council discussion reflected similar themes, including concern about continuing to
invest in an uncertain approval process. Members also discussed potential alternative uses for
remaining project funds, such as wayfinding signage, natural play features, or other park
improvements. Staff noted that the natural trail would remain as it exists in its current state today
but would not be maintained in the winter.
Overall, the City Council indicated support for pausing further investment in the southern
segment at this time, while leaving open the possibility of revisiting the connection in the future
as conditions change. The northern trail segment and Greenwood Shores parking lot remain on
track for completion this fall.
Acting Mayor Kimber adjourned the work session at 8:31 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk