West metro briefs: Development moves forward at Minnetonka Country Club

Development moves forward at country club

The controversial subdivision of the Minnetonka Country Club is moving forward, with the Shorewood City Council expected to vote on the development proposal Jan. 25. The property is the largest undeveloped parcel of land in Shorewood. Mattamy Homes wants to build as many as 140 upscale single-family homes on 118 acres of the country club, which it purchased for $15.21 million. Earlier this month, the Shorewood Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve the development stage proposal.

Kelly Smith

Work crews this week will raise the second span of the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge to allow demolition and rebuilding of a supporting concrete pier. A $12.7 million reconstruction of the historic bridge, which will be open to cyclists and pedestrians, began in May and is expected to be completed in the fall.

JOHN REINAN

The Richfield City Council last week gave preliminary approval to an ordinance that would allow homeowners to keep bees in their backyards. Prospective beekeepers in Richfield must complete an education course and register with the city.

But backyard bees won't be a business opportunity for residents; the proposed ordinance prohibits the sale of honey from residential hives.

Crystal residents will have an opportunity this month to learn more about the design of the city's future light-rail station. The city and Hennepin County are co-hosting a presentation and feedback session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Crystal Community Center gymnasium, 4800 Douglas Drive N.

Shannon Prather

The Hennepin County Board is accepting applicants for two positions on the seven-member Minnehaha Creek Watershed District board. The watershed district, one of the largest financially in Minnesota, manages everything from flooding to the spread of invasive species in parts of 27 cities.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 25.

Kelly Smith

A number of the old street signs have been donated to the St. Louis Park Historical Society, which is selling them to raise money for its operations. More than 360 have been sold to date, raising more than $9,000 for the society; about 200 are still available for purchase.

For more information, contact the society at 952-583-9893.

JOHN REINAN

Robbinsdale will get its first brewery when Wicked Wort Brewing Company opens Jan. 22.. The new brewery, which is in a former TCF Bank building at 4165 W. Broadway, will host a grand opening throughout next weekend, 4 p.m. to midnight Jan. 22, noon to midnight Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 24..

KELLY SMITH

The book is about two young mothers, one white and the other black, in Mississippi in the years before the civil rights movement. The women, who initially don't like each other, find common ground in the loss of their children.

A kickoff for the program will be held at the Plymouth branch of the Hennepin County Library on March 19, and Odell will speak in April at Plymouth Creek Center. Copies of the book will be available at the library, 15700 36th Av. N. For more information, go to plymouthartscouncil.org/.