During a recent city council meeting, a local developer expressed strong dissatisfaction with the city staff and council regarding the handling of a retaining wall issue at a soccer field on Viking Road. The developer, who has been working to improve undesirable properties, criticized the city for approving a project that did not follow the original master plan. He highlighted that a 9-foot retaining wall was built without prior approval, which he believes should have been obvious to both the developer and city staff.

The developer argued that while he does not advocate for tearing down the wall, it is unfair that the developer received approval after the fact. He shared his own experience with city staff while trying to expand his chiropractic business, noting the lengthy and complicated process he faced. After months of discussions, he was informed that his parking lot would need to meet current codes, which included layout changes and additional landscaping requirements.

He questioned why new commercial constructions often bypass these landscaping codes, citing examples like Raising Cane's, which lacks proper screening at a busy intersection. The developer expressed frustration over the disparity in treatment between large commercial projects and smaller, local developers. He called for a more supportive approach from the city towards those looking to invest and improve properties in the community.

The developer concluded by urging city council members to engage with local developers to understand the challenges they face. He emphasized the need for change in how the city operates to better serve its citizens and encourage investment. The council acknowledged his comments and promised to follow up on the issues raised.