[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268215,"mediaKeyId","3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb","parentId",3057353,"title","Council annexes 61 acres in Jackson Township, approves MUSA amendment and agriculture‑preserve zoning","audioSeconds",972,"startMs",4330000,"endMs",5302000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb&start=4330&end=5302","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb/thumbnail_4330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268215/Shakopee-City/Scott-County/Minnesota/Council-annexes-61-acres-in-Jackson-Township-approves-MUSA-amendment-and-agriculturepreserve-zoning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268215-ebaa6a9a1bab1a47e79b67d95294a396/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151370&Signature=fF~TBL8tVOz5YGEdjXmy8V1u9yj3lI4DASNjmLI45EGztezMn0MVBa55msIbjeeKL858wadgYmFe9YLaTJ3v6a~cVHMz-Qz-YaRfJT2A9f8CyJqgPBzhX5R49yZGWoyyGSID1NkNs5amX-efGfjLQnV0zR9fzn9n6BG-ggPbXZ6qIb4FyfGKhmjH73Okwl5Bt8VWFqB5MBrfZzDEgkC9TN04QgcCTTXxOQLfd1vxy~Is-qglXXw3wYFNgpXxYbfiXqHC4hcIMeMYc6p~9jWLg9k4H9lMA1-2lI3boDqtQQ9VYpe1xAq2hA0swOff6wl-joiQX4SIiNrRA3-0ifEpcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Shakopee, MN","date","2025-04-19T01:38:02.493Z","article","The City of Shakopee voted April 15 to annex 11 parcels in Jackson Township (roughly 61 acres), to amend the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) for those properties, and to zone the annexed land as agricultural‑preserve.

Staff said the annexation covers several parcels north of County State Highway 78 and east of US‑169, and that the action implements parts of the city’s orderly‑annexation plan (areas A and B). Staff described a sanitary‑sewer alignment that will cross a bluff in a way intended to avoid disturbing an existing force main and said the city will pursue appraisals and acquisitions for bluffland/open‑space parcels where appropriate.

The council approved three items: Resolution R2025‑035 (annexation of Jackson Township property), Resolution R2025‑034 (comprehensive‑plan amendment extending MUSA as shown in figure 4.6) and Ordinance O2025‑008 (rezoning the annexed parcels to agricultural‑preserve). The three measures passed in separate motions with seconding council members and unanimous voice votes.

Staff noted property‑tax treatment: state law and city practice require the city to pay township taxes for seven years on annexed parcels in some cases; staff said the two Scott County parcels along US‑169 were currently tax‑exempt and that the city would not pay those particular township taxes. Staff said the city has begun an appraisal for a bluffland parcel that may become city‑owned open space.

Two affected property owners spoke during the meeting. Paul Melcher, speaking on behalf of his parents (Tom and Sue Melcher), said the family’s priority is preserving the ecological character of their bluff and that staff had addressed major concerns about proposed sewer routing. Frank Weber, another nearby owner, asked about the condition and future use of a gravel road that will be trenched for stormwater or sewer work; staff said the road is currently gravel, will be trenched for required pipe installation and will be paved temporarily to accommodate maintenance and future access.

Councilors moved and passed each of the three approval items: Contreras moved the annexation resolution (second by Lara), Contreras later seconded the comprehensive‑plan amendment motion (moved by Delaney), and Whiting moved the ordinance adopting agricultural‑preserve zoning (seconded by Lara). All votes were by voice and passed with no recorded opposition.

Staff said they will coordinate appraisal, property negotiations and the sewer construction plan with affected landowners and report back to council on the acquisition and utility‑extension schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council, April 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Shakopee annexed roughly 61 acres in Jackson Township on April 15, approved a MUSA amendment to extend metropolitan sewer service into the area, and rezoned the parcels to agricultural‑preserve.","taxTitle","Shakopee City , Scott County , Minnesota","taxId",52801,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268219,"Council approves preliminary plat for Richland Court; county requires right‑in/right‑out access",553,3773000,4326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb&start=3773&end=4326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb/thumbnail_3773000.jpg","/articles/6268219/Shakopee-City/Scott-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-preliminary-plat-for-Richland-Court-county-requires-rightinrightout-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268219-35b78fcae52b5befbeb0a94a5513bc59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151370&Signature=kRtdywn71YWXCt6QVvALsBX513OKkwl740qWI-OgXuCD~lOidqTl2IT6DO1hRh2gplCk~pKSvPtzBF4ESPh60n6DdJ8sJJ44FY4i6dKs5x6jKOiBXqAzGtVtD0JH88aObhlzUi~5P7x82zzNoRL4TgJkHPpXOvkA00B~L1Pd32Qzm4evUsCIh45XwkQWPVNlCbldef9wc5~TM184aR~1yiRQJielmoXLN~bjMQIJz~NcegpmhnPxrNzt3Bo~dnZk1nNk0g5zGlHMMji4QbTtxK4wvXvI2RIZrfJTsltQVoKIX2uMKq8NRIoDIg29YK2680u-Qxms-IQ5v85kDFcv6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shakopee City Council voted April 15 to approve the preliminary plat for Richland Court, a proposed subdivision north of County Highway 78 and east of Town Line Avenue that will create eight single‑family lots and two outlots for stormwater and wetland preservation.

Staff told the council the developer reduced the plan from 10 lots to eight after an initial planning commission hearing and that the proposal complies with R‑1B zoning and density requirements in the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan. The plan calls for a stormwater basin, a wetland outlot, and sanitary sewer and water main connections to serve the new lots.

City staff said Scott County required a right‑in/right‑out access on Town Line Avenue because the county enforces access‑spacing rules on its highways. The city engineer explained that although nearby access points predate the county standard, new subdivision permits must comply with current county access policy; the developer will construct a bypass lane, a “pork‑chop” island and curb median to meet the requirement.

Neighbors raised questions about existing access, the extent of grading and whether the new lots would create awkward remnants of land. City staff said some adjacent parcels are common‑area or privately owned and that the current proposal is the remaining developable parcel from an earlier approval. Staff also said sanitary sewer service would require future extensions and that special‑assessment policy would apply to any utility extensions requested by other property owners.

Council Member Whiting moved to approve Resolution R2025‑003 approving the preliminary plat; Council Member Contreras seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition.

The council approved the resolution and asked staff to continue coordinating with Scott County on access construction and neighborhood communication.","The council approved the preliminary plat for Richland Court, an eight‑lot single‑family subdivision north of County Highway 78. Scott County required a right‑in/right‑out access on Town Line Avenue to meet county access‑spacing standards; the developer agreed to landscaping adjustments and stormwater elements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268223,"Shakopee staff seek APWA and CAPRA accreditations to formalize practices and sustain operations",1324,2364000,3688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb&start=2364&end=3688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb/thumbnail_2364000.jpg","/articles/6268223/Shakopee-City/Scott-County/Minnesota/Shakopee-staff-seek-APWA-and-CAPRA-accreditations-to-formalize-practices-and-sustain-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268223-15b3de190e1e7a05cedfb0ed24f8ec28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151370&Signature=aDP6K4GHO1G-aLNrAzT1APaV4bI~nQ~yhzbjExBSBI88ydkN8QCV6Aiw1swV29DXNwN9SfpUEIAAp6rI62VNRBC7Nn9rrvgj6t4ZYS6RSvw4aSiesGRxd3-7k2-OAKWT62Wx9Mf9i3rPs7jdouUjXzVpG0qd8tbmefUIgq-secVemo0xGG7sbDrsfAKnCW0LSemodaDrGhlyjJcmhYfhtOgGOYK60GZ4KTs0TLZo3m8ZKOEZ9DOJe26SFeM3gZXaFOh6tlbZtgGxyHlbdWERsPD7Vk4MU6zK12fjMBA3rZcdHClLNhKOP~7Y8bYJ8jiPORG3YySISNXP7eEyX0iKtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shakopee City staff updated the council April 15 on efforts to pursue two national accreditations: American Public Works Association (APWA) accreditation for public works and CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) for parks and recreation. Staff said the initiatives aim to document policies and standard operating procedures, improve operational efficiency, strengthen recruitment and succession planning, and demonstrate alignment with national best practices.

Kelsey McNutt, identified as Park and Recreation Director, outlined the CAPRA timeline: a preliminary application submitted in September, a self‑assessment and evidence submission this year, an on‑site verification visit in summer 2026, and a hearing at the national conference in September 2026. McNutt said the CAPRA self‑assessment includes 10 chapters and currently contains 36 “fundamental” standards; agencies must meet fundamental standards and achieve at least 90% overall on initial accreditation, with a higher threshold on renewal.

Public‑works staff briefed the council on the APWA accreditation process, which requires a comprehensive self‑evaluation of relevant policy chapters and a national peer review. Staff said their internal team has completed most of the applicable chapters and expects peer review within roughly a year. Officials said accreditation requires ongoing review every four years and will force the city to codify many practices that currently exist informally in staff knowledge.

Council members praised staff for pursuing the accreditations and asked about staff time, which departments are involved, and how the city will sustain the effort. Staff said employees from across the organization — finance, HR, parks, public works and others — are contributing to the evidence and that the city expects continuous work to maintain the accreditations after initial award.

No council action was required; staff asked for continued support as they bring related policies to council for formal adoption.","City staff told the council the public works and parks departments are pursuing two national accreditations (APWA for public works and CAPRA for parks and recreation) to document policies, improve efficiency and support recruitment and succession planning; staff said the process will require ongoing effort and periodic renewals.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268229,"MVTA outlines microtransit growth, service changes and funding push for expanded suburban service",1979,43000,2022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb&start=43&end=2022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb/thumbnail_43000.jpg","/articles/6268229/Shakopee-City/Scott-County/Minnesota/MVTA-outlines-microtransit-growth-service-changes-and-funding-push-for-expanded-suburban-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268229-41bfcd6b9cad97ca29a3a9217a817b7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151370&Signature=byMYTEGH8vp812yQfZeV2c4iKdU6jBFyAJTETtSajkW5y4IY0k2QKZ-r78w6njHBVf08mejeId9Xcekx22lBXRVemmRx1rf0neg6IN4YVI93J4vrwHOCO7woiDImUQH1cLcik53Mz9R-aslkm8qV5Bl6XHjpqN93qz0TWUg08BpvvB6tERxdANgokMInySKBtoVm7shRHTr9qW~-ucG15sS5k-uqP-zSMa7jB3CH1DhRup1dMkShOf-pS3paa-6spKQQV3XGwQcPC~RohG5V8YZhCbUJ-pBpPuGVmqKf3v-L7QRTJqTzqnqQDsxh8Qua8OKJ7YeZ9u57d0yJWeZIlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Minnesota Valley Transit Authority officials gave Shakopee City Council an update on April 15, outlining expansion plans for on‑demand “Connect” microtransit, seasonal and event routes, vehicle and garage projects, and a legislative request for more dedicated sales-tax funding.

The presentation, delivered by MVTA staff, said the agency now operates roughly 24–26 routes, two garages and 14 park‑and‑ride locations and has added microtransit zones that cover portions of Shakopee and Prior Lake. Joya Stetson, identified in the presentation as MVTA’s community and economic director, said Connect is an app‑based curb‑to‑curb service that can be booked up to three hours in advance for $3 a ride and has seen rapid growth since its Shakopee launch.

The agency reported systemwide ridership up about 10.5% year‑over‑year from 2023 to 2024, with express service up nearly 10% and local service down about 2% (the presentation attributed the local decline to an earlier reallocation of service to Connect). MVTA said overall ridership is about 50% of pre‑pandemic levels in most places and that Connect ridership is growing quickly: the presenters said March daily average rides were in the 400s and had peaked above 500 after bringing Shakopee and Prior Lake into the zone.

MVTA officials discussed demographic results from a recent rider survey and said roughly 68% of Connect trips are for work, 47% of riders would otherwise use Uber or Lyft, and about 20% of Connect riders report annual household income under $15,000. Officials also said about 10% of Connect users report a disability or long‑term health condition.

The presentation covered several operational items: planned tweaks to Route 490 service, a new seasonal route (the “4 fun” destination route) that serves Marshall Road Transit Station and leisure destinations, a spike in special‑event service driven in part by major concerts, and outreach to local schools to improve student internship access to transit. MVTA said it is retrofitting 40‑foot buses to look like trolleys for local circulator service and is exploring a circulator for Canterbury Park and extra service for Valleyfair.

On technology and capital, MVTA described a fleet demo of purpose‑built electric buses and said the vehicles performed well in winter weather. The agency said a federal waiver and new U.S. production by the manufacturer could affect future procurement.

Officials told the council that MVTA sought a federal BUILD grant for a Scott County mobility station and garage but did not receive the award; MVTA said it is pursuing land (about 10–15 acres) for a future garage and mobility hub and continues to pursue grants and partnerships.

Legislatively, MVTA staff described a bill carried by Representative Hewitt that would add a share of a regional sales‑tax allocation for MVTA and the University of Minnesota. Officials said the change would raise MVTA’s share from roughly 10% of interim regional sales‑tax distributions toward a higher baseline and that the agency expects advocacy and education work to continue through 2026.

Council members thanked MVTA for outreach, school partnerships and event service. Several council members asked about Connect booking and payment options; MVTA said riders can pay cash on vehicles, use a Go‑To card, or pay by credit card in the app; drivers can also book trips for walk‑up customers and accept cash. No formal council action was taken on the presentation.","Minnesota Valley Transit Authority officials updated the Shakopee City Council on ridership trends, the Connect microtransit service, seasonal and event routes, electric-bus experience and a state legislative request to increase dedicated sales-tax funding for MVTA expansion.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268209,"Council approves Highview Park final plats (4th and 5th editions) advancing subdivision buildout",625,5360000,5985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb&start=5360&end=5985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3057353-08fdbcccb6ce336922e6eb319d6a90bb/thumbnail_5360000.jpg","/articles/6268209/Shakopee-City/Scott-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-Highview-Park-final-plats-4th-and-5th-editions-advancing-subdivision-buildout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268209-e4a24b1629d741074a92d18bddfc3456/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151370&Signature=Js01kqOo3R1gCLP4fYQkin02N9hWs3uOMX6tMhQ90Jew8jmPRg17S~H9DLKq8uvMct-Zedy853rinx7QsQ7nCeomsMoHJbolhyAvnXSn4-F5c1Ht4pqMu0b2fjacMYhbJK5pJKQEpC7Pxuh5RlpiLaeIbkgrMSzTrNTTEj7JVuVwK5iUqw8f8dPv~mfwClIpXSVJcJ3NHodZ4UHNTjCx5NqCULlol5sHhftOdYxhF2TpD2izptqE8eROx~EzHkzCNnGmR7-Td8F2z-wnj-TbFRlJt0YaFK6xPFxDMo7dOnzEeaiKbEWtyefX-nckDDm2yDy6vHPm496-7N8KNqLpVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shakopee City Council approved final plats for Highview Park Fourth and Fifth editions on April 15, advancing two additional phases of a large subdivision south of County State Highway 78 and west of Marystown Road.

Staff reported the Fourth Edition consists of 15 single‑family homes and that D.R. Horton is the developer for the project phases in question. The Fifth Edition was described in staff remarks as the next phase and includes additional single‑family lots and outlots for later development; staff said the proposed home designs comply with R‑1B design and performance standards and that developer‑ and county‑level review of sewer, right‑of‑way and access had been addressed in the latest plan sets.

Council members noted that park‑dedication fees from the plats will be applied to Jackson Commons Park improvements. Staff said Marystown Road access and county spacing requirements were considered and that the subdivision includes multiple internal accesses and proposed connections to Zumbro Avenue to create a looped neighborhood street network.

Councilors voted to approve Resolution R2025‑005 (Highview Park Fourth edition final plat) and Resolution R2025‑036 (Highview Park Fifth edition final plat). Both motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff told the council final engineering, utility extensions and construction sequencing will follow the plats’ approvals and that additional phases remain in the development pipeline.","The council approved final plats for Highview Park Fourth and Fifth editions, authorizing forthcoming phases of the subdivision. Staff said the developments meet R‑1B design/performance standards; councilors noted park dedication fees will support Jackson Commons Park.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council annexes 61 acres in Jackson Township, approves MUSA amendment and agriculture‑preserve zoning

Council approves preliminary plat for Richland Court; county requires right‑in/right‑out access

Shakopee staff seek APWA and CAPRA accreditations to formalize practices and sustain operations

MVTA outlines microtransit growth, service changes and funding push for expanded suburban service

Council approves Highview Park final plats (4th and 5th editions) advancing subdivision buildout