Wayzata Irked By Owner's Plans To Lease XXX Space
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A legal fight has turned into quite a spectacle in Wayzata.
In December, the city council denied a property owner's request to redevelop two lots on the west end of downtown Wayzata.
In February, the owner painted the existing building on the lot a hot pink. The paint job came shortly after the owner filed a lawsuit against the city, in hopes of reversing its decision on the planned development.
We found out Wednesday there's now a new battle brewing, and it's shocking to say the least.
The pink building stands out among all the rest along Lake Street in Wayzata.
Paul Reuvers is an attorney hired by the city of Wayzata.
"Hot pink buildings garner attention," he said. "The city has received calls from neighbors wondering what's happening. The city is looking at its options right now."
Brad Hoyt is the CEO of Continental Property Group, which hoped to redevelop the property. Continental Property's attorney says the building was painted pink last month because it's Hoyt's daughter's favorite color, and he needs to fix it up since the city denied the redevelopment request.
"It's just too big," Reuvers said. "The city allows a three-story building. They've applied for a variance and a rezoning of the property, and the city has discretion, and it's just too big for the site."
But something new was added to the building a couple of days ago: a big sign with the letters "XXX," indicating an adult bookstore is opening inside.
"We think it is an attempt to prod or poke the city, so to speak," Reuvers said. "We've asked them to come work with us and instead we get a hot pink building and an adult-use sign. That is not an allowed use in that area."
But an attorney for the property owner said it is permissible, and they are planning to remodel the building and move forward with plans to open up the new business. (The attorney also denies that the city offered to cooperate.)
"The city knows this property needs to be redeveloped, but it has to be the appropriate plan," Reuvers said. "Again, five stories is too big. We know that something needs to go in there. This just isn't the project."
A court date has been set for May 15 in this case.
A judge will then have 90 days to make a decision.
