Meeting Minutes - April 13 2026 City Council Work SessionCity Council Work Session Minutes – April 13, 2026
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CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
April 13, 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:
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
PUBLIC PRESENT: Brad Barickman, RJM Construction
Sketch Plan Review for commercial development at the northeast corner of Lyman
Boulevard and Powers Boulevard
Eric Maass, Community Development Director, discussed a preliminary sketch plan for a potential
commercial development at the northeast corner of Lyman Boulevard and Powers Boulevard, an
early step in what may become a future redevelopment of two existing residential properties. The
concept, brought forward by Northland Real Estate Group, included two commercial buildings,
one with a drive-through, and would require a Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezoning to
move forward.
City Council feedback focused on high-level considerations, including traffic impacts along
Lyman Boulevard, potential noise and compatibility with nearby residential areas, and
preservation of existing trees on the site. While there was no clear consensus, Council generally
expressed cautious openness to exploring a commercial designation, with several members
indicating that a Neighborhood Business zoning district would be the most appropriate fit if the
project advances.
Chanhassen Community Center Bid Package #1
Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager and Brad Barickman, RJM Construction, the city’s construction
manager, provided an overview of the first bid package, which focuses on securing key early
components of the project with longer lead times. The package includes three primary contracts:
structural concrete, precast concrete wall panels and site utilities. In total, 15 bids were received
across the three categories, with approximately five bids per category. All recommended bids came
in at or below previously established cost estimates, reflecting a strong and competitive bidding
environment.
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The City Council discussed the importance of advancing these early packages to secure materials
and maintain the overall construction schedule, particularly given extended lead times for precast
wall panels, which can exceed five to six months. The approval allows work to begin on early-
phase elements while additional bid packages, including remaining project components and
alternates, are refined and brought forward for consideration later this year, with Bid Package #2
expected in June.
Sign Code Ordinance
Eric Maass, Community Development Director gave an overview of an ordinance amending
Chapters 1 and 20 of the City Code to update sign definitions and regulations, following several
months of work that included multiple Planning Commission meetings and public hearings.
The updates will make several changes to modernize and clarify the city’s sign code. Signage
opportunities would be expanded across commercial zoning districts, allowing
canopy, awning and projecting signs in areas such as Downtown, Highway Business,
Neighborhood Business , and other commercial districts. The ordinance also introduces clearer
definitions for “window signs” and “window coverings,” helping distinguish between signage and
materials used for privacy or screening.
The Planning Commission recommended that window signs be allowed in 50% of a business’s
windows and that those window signs could occupy up to 50% of the area of the window in which
it is located. Following discussion amongst the City Council related to comparable cities
regulations around window sign size allowances, the City Council directed staff
to update standards for window signage, establishing that up to 50% of a business’s windows
may contain signage, with each window limited to 30% coverage. Entrance doors are exempt from
these limits. Additional provisions clarify that window signage may not blink, flash or be
excessively bright. The ordinance also updates regulations for nonconforming signs, requiring that
when signs are replaced beyond normal maintenance, they must be brought into compliance with
the current code.
Other changes focus on improving implementation and consistency, including allowing temporary
signs without a permit, establishing clearer standards for site signage , and addressing content-
based regulations to ensure compliance with First Amendment considerations. Overall, the updates
are intended to provide greater flexibility for businesses while maintaining a consistent and high-
quality visual environment across the city.
City Council Roundtable
The City Council held its quarterly roundtable discussion during the work session. Several Citizen
Action Requests were discussed, along with updates on previously raised topics.
A citizen request related to immigration enforcement policies and city cooperation with federal
authorities prompted discussion about recent outreach to federal officials. Mayor Ryan noted that
the city remains in regular communication with Congressman Tom Emmer’s
office regarding ICE-related matters, but there was no consensus to move forward with a
resolution or to pursue the establishment of a Human Rights Commission.
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Regarding participation in the Safe & Stable Coalition, the mayor noted that the city is an ally but
not a formal, dues-paying member, participating in periodic updates but not contributing
financially or taking formal policy positions. Activity within the coalition has been minimal and
no additional action was recommended at this time.
A request to explore tree planting and native landscaping efforts along 78th Street is moving
forward, with a resident working directly with city staff on potential opportunities and
coordination. Council expressed general support for continued collaboration on these efforts.
The roundtable also included discussion of traffic concerns related to a recent highway closure,
with staff actively coordinating with Carver County on signage, enforcement , and other mitigation
efforts.
Mayor Ryan adjourned the work session at 6:57 P.M.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Jenny Potter
City Clerk