WAYZATA — The Wayzata City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session Monday, May 5, as the city weighs its legal options following a Hennepin County judge’s ruling that voided Wayzata’s short-term rental ban, including whether to appeal the decision.
According to a closed meeting notice posted April 28, the special meeting will be held at 5 p.m. under the attorney-client privilege exception to Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law. The notice says the meeting will allow the council to meet with its attorneys to “review, and candidly and openly discuss” confidential and privileged matters related to two pending short-term rental lawsuits.
The May 5 meeting marks the second closed meeting the council has held on the issue since a Hennepin County judge voided the city’s short-term rental ban earlier this spring.
The litigation involves two cases brought by property owners against the City of Wayzata. The first names Adlon C. Adams, 225 Manitoba Ave LLC, Olivia A. Adams, Wayzata Cottage LLC, and Robert C. Fisher, as trustee of the Robert C. Fisher Trust dated July 8, 2016, as plaintiffs and petitioners. The second names Jeffrey Lee Holmers, 306 Barry Ave N LLC, Scott Tripps, 1020 Lake Street E LLC, Anna Ovsyannikova, and Yevgeniy Ogranovich as plaintiffs and petitioners.
The latest closed session follows a March 30 ruling by Hennepin County Judge Joseph R. Klein, who held that Wayzata’s Ordinance 852 functioned as a zoning ordinance and was void because the city did not follow the procedures required for zoning changes. The ordinance had been adopted in 2025 to prohibit rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days in licensed rental dwellings.
The council previously met in closed session on April 7 after approving an emergency interim ordinance imposing a 12-month moratorium on new short-term rentals. That measure passed 4-1, with Mayor Andrew Mullin casting the lone dissenting vote.
The May 5 meeting is closed to the public because it concerns attorney-client communications related to pending litigation. No public action is expected during the closed portion of the meeting.
Proposal would have divided two existing residential lots into four single-family lots
The Wayzata City Council voted 3-2 on April 21 to deny a proposed subdivision at 190 Gleason Lake Road and 121 Gleahaven Road, rejecting a plan that would have divided two existing residential lots into four single-family lots in the Gleahaven neighborhood.
The application was submitted by Lake West Development LLC on behalf of property owner Dave Heil. The two parcels sit near the southeast corner of Gleason Lake Road, also known as County Road 15, and Gleahaven Road.
Community Development Director Alex Sharpe told the council the property is guided low-density residential, allowing one to three units per acre, and is zoned R-3, Single and Two Family Residential District.
“The proposal would still meet that maximum density,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe also said the proposed lots met the R-3 zoning requirements for minimum lot size, lot width, lot depth, lot coverage and impervious surface coverage. Because the property is within the Shoreland Overlay District, he said the proposal also included stormwater treatment facilities to address impervious surface requirements.
But the denial did not turn simply on whether the proposal met zoning standards. Instead, council members weighed the city’s broader subdivision ordinance, which allows consideration of possible adverse effects, including neighborhood character, lot size, scale, pattern, grading and property values.
City Attorney David G. Schelzel clarified that the property’s zoning was not in dispute.
“I don’t think there’s any question that that is the zoning now,” Schelzel said. “We may not know exactly when it happened or why there was a change, but it’s been reaffirmed and recodified. That is legally what the zoning district is.”
The Planning Commission previously reviewed the proposal and recommended denial. Sharpe said the commission’s recommendation came after significant discussion of the city’s subdivision criteria.
The Planning Commission’s concerns included whether the four-lot subdivision would fit the existing scale, pattern and character of the neighborhood. Sharpe noted that the proposed lots would be smaller than most of the lots in the surrounding 11-parcel Gleahaven Road neighborhood.
“The majority of the lots within the 11 lot subdivision neighborhood would be larger than the subject parcels proposed,” Sharpe said.
The applicant had held a neighborhood meeting Feb. 2, which was not required but was recommended by staff. The City Council tabled the matter in March at the applicant’s request, allowing time for additional neighborhood outreach. A second neighborhood meeting was held April 9.
Sharpe said public comments received by the city centered on increased density, tree removal, reduced property values and negative effects on neighborhood character.
Public comments submitted to the city largely opposed the subdivision. A petition from Gleahaven Road residents asked the council to deny the application and requested a moratorium on future proposals until the city could further review why the street is zoned R-3 rather than R-2. The petition cited concerns about tree removal, grading, drainage, density, neighborhood character, lot size, traffic and possible property-value impacts.
The petition argued that the proposed lots, averaging 15,363 square feet, were substantially smaller than the historic pattern of the neighborhood. Residents wrote that, before the 2013 subdivision across the street, the average lot size in the neighborhood was 26,136 square feet. Even after that subdivision, they said the average lot size was 23,664 square feet.
Ryan Schultz, of 108 Gleahaven Road, wrote that his family chose the neighborhood for its “quiet streets, low density, and mature tree canopy.” Schultz argued that meeting minimum zoning standards “is not the same as being appropriate for this location,” and raised concerns about school-bus safety near Gleahaven Road and Gleason Lake Road.
Michelle Schultz, also of 108 Gleahaven Road, wrote that the proposal would “fundamentally and permanently alter” the neighborhood’s low-density, heavily treed character. She argued that the increase in density, loss of mature trees, traffic impacts and changes to views would negatively affect nearby property values.
Kumar and Kathy Das Gupta, of 110 Gleahaven Road, wrote that the street is a “quiet cul de sac” with a natural, serene atmosphere, privacy and varied architecture. They said four homes near the corner could add an estimated eight to 10 vehicles entering and exiting multiple times per day near an intersection they described as already difficult for pedestrians, children and dog walkers.
Pete Trinh and Morgan Kaufman, of 167 Gleahaven Road, wrote that their young family opposed the proposal because they believed it would take away from the established cul-de-sac and increase traffic near Gleason Lake Road. They wrote that it is already “scary” to walk as a family, walk a dog or cross the street.
Dan Poss.
Neighbor Dan Poss, who said he lives at 133 Gleahaven Road adjacent to the proposed development, urged the council to look beyond technical compliance and consider the established feel of the cul-de-sac.
“Our neighborhood is unique,” Poss said.
Poss said Gleahaven Road has long had a low-density feel, with about 10 homes on roughly six acres before a previous subdivision in 2013.
“To say it’s not going to change the character of the neighborhood, that’s a pretty subjective statement to make,” Poss said. “And I would say, of course, it’s going to change the character of the neighborhood. Some for the positive, of course. New homes. They look real shiny and nice. But from a density standpoint, it’s going to be tremendously character changing.”
Poss said he was not opposed to all redevelopment, but suggested three homes as a possible compromise. “My compromise would be three homes,” Paz said.
Council Members Alex Plechash, Molly MacDonald and Ken Sorensen supported the denial, pointing to the Planning Commission’s findings and the proposal’s fit within the existing neighborhood.
MacDonald said she saw a disconnect between the R-3 zoning designation and the actual character of the Gleahaven neighborhood.
“This doesn’t feel like an R-3 neighborhood,” MacDonald said, adding that she would support taking a closer look at the zoning history of the area.
MacDonald said adding four lots to the area would have a lasting impact.
“To add another four lots to that feels like it would change the character of this neighborhood forever,” MacDonald said.
Sorensen said he is typically supportive of property rights and credited Lake West for trying to develop a workable plan. But he said he could not get past the shape and layout of the proposed lots.
“The issue I can’t shake a bit though is the shape of these lots,” Sorensen said.
Sorensen said the existing cul-de-sac includes wider and pie-shaped lots that create more space between homes, contributing to what he called a “very pleasant area.” He said the proposed four-lot subdivision would place homes much closer together than the existing pattern.
“While it does comply with many of the criteria of the subdivision ordinance, it doesn’t make it always appropriate,” Sorensen said.
Sorensen said he agreed with the Planning Commission’s conclusion that the proposal would create adverse effects, particularly because of how the new lots would affect the scale, pattern and character of the neighborhood.
“If it were something less than four lots, it would be much more — I think many issues we talked about would probably go away,” Sorensen said.
Curt Fretham.
Developer Curt Fretham told the council Lake West believed it had brought forward a fully compliant proposal. He said the applicant was willing to discuss lowering grades on the site, even though doing so would require hauling material away and add cost.
“We brought what we thought was a fully compliant plan,” Fretham said.
Fretham said the developer tried to avoid asking for variances or exceptions. “I’m not touching this project unless it is absolutely completely conforming,” Fretham said.
Council Member Dan Koch said he understood the neighborhood character concerns, but had difficulty supporting denial when the proposal appeared to meet the city’s zoning and guidance.
“I agree about character of neighborhoods and trying to maintain the character of neighborhoods,” Koch said. “There’s probably, I guess everybody has probably some different opinions of what that means.”
Koch said market forces can also change neighborhoods over time as homes turn over, are torn down and rebuilt under existing zoning rules. “When you look at it on the facts and no variances conforms with every piece of zoning and guidance, I have a tough time denying it because of the facts,” Koch said.
Mayor Andrew Mullin also framed the issue as a difficult balance between property rights and the city’s subdivision standards.
“I’m generally a pro-property rights person,” Mullin said. “And I struggle when you are balancing subjective criteria.”
Schelzel said the subdivision ordinance differs from the zoning ordinance and requires officials to consider possible adverse effects when reviewing a preliminary plat. “The key thing that the ordinance calls out is that you’re supposed to consider possible adverse effects,” Schelzel said. “And so by its nature, it’s sort of a judgment call.”
Ultimately, a majority (3-2) of the council sided with the Planning Commission’s recommendation and adopted Resolution 14-2026 denying the preliminary plat. The decision blocks the proposed four-lot subdivision, leaving the two existing parcels in place for the time being.
In a Feb. 23 letter to the city, Lake West’s attorney argued that the city’s broader subdivision criteria must be applied consistently with the objective standards in its zoning code.
The most obvious legal tension, if the denial is challenged in court, would likely be whether Wayzata’s more subjective subdivision criteria — including neighborhood “character” and “scale” — can support denial of a project that the applicant says met the city’s measurable zoning, density and grading requirements.
Brunken Consulting to assist with newsletters, social media, and website updates during staffing transition
The Wayzata City Council approved a professional services agreement with Brunken Consulting, LLC for temporary communications support as part of its consent agenda at the April 21, 2026, council meeting.
The agreement is intended to help fill a short-term staffing gap in the city’s Administration Department. According to the agenda report prepared by City Manager Aurora Yager, the department currently has vacancies in the Deputy City Manager, HR Generalist, and Communications Coordinator positions. While those roles are expected to be filled, staff indicated there is an immediate need for day-to-day communications support that cannot be effectively absorbed by the city manager or existing staff.
Under the agreement, Brunken Consulting will provide approximately 10 hours of support per week for about 16 weeks. The work is expected to include assistance with the Wayzata Weekly, Portal Newsletter, social media posts, and website updates.
The contract authorizes payment of $5,800 per month, with a total not to exceed $29,000. The agenda report states that the estimated cost is about $3,300 less than what the city had budgeted for the Communications Coordinator position over the same period.
The professional services agreement became effective April 22, 2026. Michelle Brunken is listed as the contractor’s main point of contact, while the city manager is listed as the city’s main point of contact.
Because the item was approved on the consent agenda, it passed without separate council discussion during the meeting. Staff had recommended approval of the agreement as presented.
Council approves development agreement 4-1; rezoning and easement vacation pass unanimously
The Wayzata City Council approved key agreements for the proposed Walser Lamborghini dealership on April 21, but not without a split over how tightly the city should define and control the use.
The council voted 4-1 to approve the Planned Unit Development agreement for the project at 1022 and 1042 Wayzata Boulevard East, with Council Member Molly MacDonald opposed. The council then voted 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 860, rezoning the property from C-3 Service District to PUD Planned Unit Development District, and 5-0 to approve the vacation of drainage and utility easements tied to the redevelopment.
The proposal would allow Walser Real Estate, LLC to redevelop the former Mulberrys Dry Cleaning site into a Lamborghini dealership with a showroom, service bays, customer lounges, office space, surface and underground parking, and related site improvements. The property includes two parcels totaling approximately 0.88 acres at the southeast corner of Wayzata Boulevard East and Central Avenue South.
The debate centered on a late-stage request from Walser to remove language related to the volume of vehicles shown, sold and serviced at the site — language city officials had included after earlier Planning Commission and City Council discussions about intensity of use.
According to the city’s agenda report, Resolution 12-2026 included a condition requiring the development agreement to address “the volume of cars shown, sold, and serviced.” Staff noted that both the Planning Commission and City Council had emphasized the importance of regulating intensity of use on the parcel during earlier review.
Walser pushed back on that condition in an April 7 letter to the city, arguing that a monthly vehicle sales or service cap is not an appropriate land-use regulation.
“Sales volume is an economic and operational metric, not a land-use characteristic,” Walser stated in the letter.
Walser argued that the project already includes enforceable controls tied to the site and operation, including limited building size, no more than six service bays, indoor vehicle inventory, restricted hours, predetermined test-drive routes, noise and lighting requirements, landscaping, fencing, buffering and a neighborhood liaison.
Community Development Director Alex Sharpe presented the council with several options: approve the development agreement with Walser’s requested removal of the volume condition, approve it without the requested changes, or direct the applicant, staff and city attorney to draft alternative language addressing vehicles shown, serviced and sold without numerical limits. Staff noted that regulating intensity of use could be more difficult without numerical thresholds or other objectively verifiable data.
MacDonald said her concern was not about limiting Walser’s success, but about understanding the actual impact of the use on a small city with nearby residential areas.
“As some of you may know, I am in retail, so I also can’t imagine someone telling me that I couldn’t sell the amount that I set a goal to sell,” MacDonald said. “So I just want to explain why that information feels relevant to me to understand what the impact of a car dealership is.”
MacDonald also said she viewed the proposed use as a car dealership, regardless of how narrowly the applicant described it.
“You guys all don’t kind of think of it as a car dealership,” MacDonald said. “Some place where you buy a car, service a car, and trade it your used car, that’s a car dealership.”
She said one of the most frequent complaints she hears from constituents involves loud vehicles.
“The other thing looming in my head is the feedback I get the most often complaint from my constituents is noisy, loud vehicles,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald said Wayzata already has a “car kind of culture” near Lake Street, which she said is a concern for some residents. She said that was part of why she wanted more information about expected volume.
“That’s why I’ve been trying to get a handle on this volume because of the disruption this kind of car brings to a small town of one and half square miles, 4,500 people,” MacDonald said.
She also questioned whether the use belonged in that location.
“So it’s not about trying to keep you from doing good, positive business,” MacDonald said. “It’s trying to decide if that good, positive business deserves, or should be — not deserves, pardon me — belongs in a central core lot next to a very difficult road that’s hard to navigate.”
MacDonald raised a separate concern about language that appeared to broaden the agreement beyond Lamborghini by referring more generally to “exotic” vehicles. She questioned who would define that term if the property or operation changed in the future.
“There was a definition on the screen of what exotic meant, but I wonder whose definition is of that?” MacDonald said. “Is that a universal definition of exotic?”
She said the proposed change from Lamborghini-specific language gave her pause.
“The whole time it’s been Lamborghini, Lamborghini, Lamborghini,” MacDonald said. “And now today, or this packet, it’s well maybe exotic. So that to me, all this has felt a little bit of a withholding situation. That’s why I really struggled with it.”
Mayor Andrew Mullin supported the agreement as presented and said he was comfortable with the rezoning and easement vacation.
“I’m fine with the rezoning. I’m fine with the vacation. Take that off the table,” Mullin said.
On the PUD agreement, Mullin pointed to language allowing used vehicle sales only when ancillary to a new vehicle sales franchise. He said that provision helped address concerns that the site could become a mass-market dealership or used car lot.
“That takes off the table, mass market, Toyota, Kia, all of those,” Mullin said.
Mullin also said the site’s size and land cost make a high-dollar-volume use more likely than a high-unit-volume dealership.
“Really, you have to have a lot of high volume dollar, dollar volume, not unit volume, right, to make it work under any scenario,” Mullin said. “I don’t see it.”
If the site were to shift to a different future use, Mullin said, it would likely become something other than a used car lot.
“If it does move into a different future use, it’s likely to be a different use, not a used car lot,” Mullin said. “And this language gives me comfort.”
Mullin also pointed to drainage and regrading improvements as a benefit to the neighborhood, saying the area has had long-standing runoff issues affecting nearby properties.
“That is a huge benefit to the neighborhood,” Mullin said. “And without having private dollars in investment to remedy that, that’s been a longstanding 25 or probably longer than that issue with that embankment and the drainage and the runoff that’s been really problematic for the neighborhood.”
Neighboring property owner Greg Hoglund also spoke in support of the development. Hoglund said he owns property next to the site and has attended previous meetings on the proposal.
“It’s my understanding, I’ve heard several times that this is a boutique dealership and they sell less than 50 cars a year,” Hoglund said. “That may be accurate or not, but I am not concerned about the volume.”
Hoglund said he found it unusual that the council was reviewing redlines to a development agreement during the meeting and questioned whether similar requirements would be placed on other retailers.
“I just went to, I’m trying to think of Walgreens across the street,” Hoglund said. “Is there language in Walgreens that says how many customers will be coming through this on a daily basis?”
He said he did not understand the basis for requiring sales information in the agreement.
“I cannot fathom, I’m not a lawyer, that there’s precedent where you’re asking a company to list out their sales data in a legal agreement,” Hoglund said.
In its letter to the city, Walser also said the site has been “rough, underutilized, and visibly dilapidated” for nearly two decades and argued that the project would bring significant private reinvestment, new jobs, tax base and a quiet, appointment-driven use to the corridor.
The votes allow the project to continue through the city’s approval process, with the rezoning ordinance still requiring a second reading before taking effect.
The split on the PUD agreement reflected the council’s remaining tension over the site: whether the conditions already in the agreement are enough to protect the surrounding neighborhood, or whether the city should have held more tightly to limits tied to vehicle volume and future use.
Proposed changes would set residential park dedication fees at $12,500 per unit and commercial fees at $7,000 per 1,000 square feet
The Wayzata City Council voted 5-0 on April 21 to approve the first reading of Ordinances 857 and 858, advancing proposed changes to the city’s park dedication fee structure for future subdivisions and developments.
The ordinances would amend the city’s subdivision regulations and fee schedule for cash payments made in lieu of parkland dedication when land dedication is not practical or appropriate for a site.
Under the proposed fee schedule, single-family residential lots, townhome residential lots and multifamily residential lots would each pay $12,500 per unit. Commercial lots would pay $7,000 per 1,000 square feet of commercial space.
Community Development Director Alex Sharpe presented the item to the council. He said the review followed the Jan. 20 approval of the Ferndale Bluff final plat and development agreement, which reserved the applicant’s right to contest the city’s park dedication fees. The council then directed staff and the city attorney to review whether amendments were needed to the cash-in-lieu provisions for park dedication.
The issue was also discussed at a March 24 council workshop, where staff presented state statute requirements, relevant case law, the city’s current ordinance language and a proposed fee methodology developed with WSB. According to the staff report, the council discussion highlighted Wayzata’s high land values compared with surrounding communities and the challenge that creates in maintaining the city’s parkland-to-resident ratio.
Sharpe said the city’s current ordinance requires new residential units or properties to pay 10 percent of land value or $2,500, whichever is greater. Commercial properties are required to pay 6 percent of land value. The proposed changes would move the fee amounts into the city’s fee schedule.
“There needed to be a nexus between the fee or cash in lieu and the demand created by the development of that specific parcel,” Sharpe said, according to the meeting transcript. He said the fee must be proportional to the number of residents, visitors or employees generated by the development.
Sharpe said staff reviewed League of Minnesota Cities recommendations and worked with WSB on the proposed methodology. He said one of the major findings was that Wayzata’s land values are significantly higher than those in other metro communities.
“For instance, their residential basis for single family homes was valued around $150,000 and ours is valued at $1.1 million,” Sharpe said, referring to another community discussed during the earlier workshop. “That’s the difference in the scale as to why our fee needs to be proportional to our land values.”
Ordinance 857 would amend the subdivision ordinance so that fees are established by ordinance rather than through formulas embedded in the subdivision code. It also would allow the City Council to grant credits toward park dedication fees for certain Planned Unit Developments that provide recreational facilities for residents. The ordinance lists examples such as swimming pools, tennis courts and open spaces suitable for active pastimes.
The staff report said allowing credits for private recreation amenities has become a common practice in park dedication ordinances, particularly for larger projects. Staff said those amenities can reduce demand on the broader park system while encouraging more desirable townhome and multifamily developments.
Sharpe also said the proposed structure leaves room for future adjustments. During prior council discussion, staff noted that additional differentiation between single-family, townhome and multifamily residential uses may be appropriate at a later date. For now, the proposed residential fee would be uniform across all three categories.
The staff report also notes that amendments to park dedication requirements must be adopted by ordinance. Because the proposed fees exceed $5,000, state statute requires a public hearing before adoption.
With the first reading approved 5-0, Ordinances 857 and 858 will return to the council for further consideration before final adoption.
Wayzata officials discussed the anticipated impacts of Highway 12 construction during the April 21 City Council meeting, with city leaders warning that the project could affect not only residents and daily commuters, but also visitors trying to reach downtown Wayzata and the businesses that depend on them.
City Manager Aurora Yager said residents should expect changing traffic conditions as the project moves forward, including lane shifts that may change throughout the day.
Yager said the city will work to keep residents informed through its own social media channels and website, but emphasized that MnDOT remains the primary source for the most current construction updates.
“We’re going to try our best on social media and the website to amplify MnDOT’s messages,” Yager said. “But I highly recommend residents sign up on MnDOT’s website to get email notifications about construction updates.”
Yager said MnDOT’s email notifications will be the fastest way for residents, commuters and visitors to learn about changes to construction timelines or traffic impacts.
Mayor Andrew Mullin said the project could have a significant effect on access into Wayzata, particularly if key ramps or roadways are restricted without clear sequencing or adequate advance communication.
He said the city needs more clarity on “the order of the exits that are going to be impacted and when,” noting that the project will affect traffic broadly, but some closures could have a more serious effect than others.
“Everything’s going to be impacted, but when you get to the first two exits and then closing access to Shoreline Drive, that’s where it gets nuclear,” Mullin said.
For residents, the concern is daily mobility: getting to and from home, work, school, errands and appointments. For guests, the issue is whether they can easily understand how to reach downtown Wayzata during construction. And for restaurants, retailers and service businesses, any loss of convenience or clarity could translate directly into fewer visits.
Mullin said he has been hearing from restaurant owners and members of the broader business community who want the city to help communicate alternative routes into town.
“The second request I get from our business community is, is there a way we can get information out there about alternative paths to get into town?” Mullin said.
Mullin suggested the city consider hosting an open house, potentially with assistance from Sen. Julia Coleman Johnson, to create more clarity around the timing of ramp and access closures. He also said the city and county should scenario-plan routes into Wayzata based on the order of construction.
“If we had some understanding of that order, we could say, early in the construction project, please use 112 and return back to the city,” Mullin said. “If 494 is done first, then we could say later in the project, use 494 and coming back through McGinty and Bushaway.”
Mullin said the city does not yet have all of the answers, but said there is “a strong preference in the community” for the county to help scenario-plan access routes so Wayzata can better communicate with residents, visitors and customers.
The Wayzata Heritage Preservation Board and Lake Minnetonka Historical Society will invite residents and visitors to take a trip through local history during the Historical Trolley Tour of Wayzata on Sunday, May 17.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with trolley tours scheduled at 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. Riders will board at the Wayzata Depot, 402 Lake St. E. Tickets are $5 per rider, with online registration available at LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org/events.
Presented by the Wayzata Heritage Preservation Board, the 40-minute guided tours will be led by the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society and will highlight several of the community’s most memorable historic sites. Stops and featured locations include the Wayzata Depot, the historic railroad site, the former Arlington Hotel site, Piety Hill/Schoolhouse Hill and the Wise House.
The tour begins at one of Wayzata’s most recognizable landmarks. The Depot has long served as a symbol of the city’s railroad heritage and its connection to Lake Minnetonka. For generations, the arrival of the railroad helped shape Wayzata’s identity as both a lakeside destination and a gateway to the broader Lake Minnetonka area.
The trolley format gives participants a chance to experience that history in motion, moving through the town while learning about the places, people and landmarks that helped define Wayzata’s early development.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, whose guided narration will provide historical context along the route. A Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cart will also be available on-site for purchase.
The Historical Trolley Tour offers a family-friendly way to revisit Wayzata’s past while enjoying an afternoon downtown. Space is limited by tour time, and advance registration is encouraged.
WAYZATA — Blue Water Theatre Company is bringing the underworld to Wayzata this spring with Hadestown: Teen Edition, a youth production of the acclaimed musical running April 23 through May 3.
Performed by students in grades 8 through 12, the production follows the intertwined mythic love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone. Set against a folk- and jazz-inspired score, the show explores love, sacrifice, doubt, hope and resilience through music, movement and storytelling.
Blue Water’s production features local teen performers and a live youth band, giving the show a distinctly student-driven energy. The result is a production that asks young artists to carry not only the songs, but also the emotional weight of a story built around courage, loss and the belief that the world can still be changed.
The show is directed by Eddie Paul and is rated PG. Blue Water lists the runtime at two hours, including a 15-minute intermission. Tickets range from $18 to $22.
Performances are held at Blue Water Theatre Company, 605 Rice St. E. in Wayzata. The theater’s main entrance is located behind the building, just off Walker Avenue. Street parking is available nearby, as well as at the City Hall, Library and Fire Station lot during performances.
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Founded as a youth-centered theater organization, Blue Water Theatre Company has become a familiar part of Wayzata’s arts community, offering young performers a place to build confidence, collaborate and take creative risks on stage.
Tickets and additional information are available through Blue Water Theatre Company’s website.
The Waytonka Club will host its Spring Market on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd. in Wayzata.
The event will feature local artisans and a taco truck on site, offering shoppers a chance to browse spring gifts and handmade goods while supporting a longtime local service organization.
Waytonka Club, Inc. is a Wayzata-based nonprofit women’s service group that has been assisting local people in times of need since 1937. Over the years, the organization has supported local families, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners, Home Free shelter, and Wayzata High School scholarships, among other causes.
The group was originally formed to support a missionary in China. Its first 42 members met at the Wayzata Bank, and in later years gathered at locations including Wayzata schools, the Wayzata Country Club, Meridian Manor, and St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Today, members continue to meet monthly in Plymouth and Wayzata.
Waytonka’s mission has long centered on helping local families in need, with a particular emphasis on health, wellness, and support for local schools. The club has also maintained a longstanding commitment to Home Free, a shelter serving women and children, and continues to provide financial support to IOCP and other community-focused organizations.
Scholarship giving has remained a key part of that work. The club’s first scholarship was $25. Today, Waytonka provides at least four scholarships annually, each worth $1,000, to students planning to study in health or education-related fields.
Lake Minnetonka was officially declared ice-out at 5:38 p.m. on Friday, April 3, after Freshwater and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol determined a patrol boat could safely navigate the lake’s bays and channels without being stopped by hard ice.
The annual milestone came 10 days earlier than the lake’s median ice-out date of April 13, though it was slightly later than last year, when open water was declared on March 29, 2025.
On Lake Minnetonka, ice-out is observed when a boat can safely travel from shore to shore, through channels, and around islands across the 14,528-acre lake. The observation system dates back to the 1960s, when Freshwater founder Dick Gray developed a consistent method for tracking the event.
Ice-out records on Lake Minnetonka go back to 1855, making the annual declaration both a seasonal marker and a long-running data point for tracking environmental patterns over time. The earliest ice-out on record was March 11, 1878.
Freshwater noted that methods for declaring ice-out vary from lake to lake, but consistency from year to year is what matters most for long-term recordkeeping. According to the organization, many lakes in southern Minnesota also opened slightly earlier than normal this year.
For Wayzata and communities around the lake, the declaration is one of the clearest signs that winter has finally given way to boating season, shoreline walks, and the return of open-water lake life. Historically, Lake Minnetonka has long been central to the region’s identity, with Wayzata’s lakeshore serving for generations as a gateway to the water and to spring itself.
Observed with the water patrol on Friday were Freshwater Operations Coordinator Alison Nesler, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol Deputy Tom Pierson, and Melissa McNeil of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Foundation.
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