06-26-2017 Council Special Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION APPROVED June 26, 2017 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES 2 MINUTES 3 4 DATE June 26, 2017 5 TIME STARTED 6:55 p.m. 6 TIME ENDED 7:40 p.m. 7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Rafferty, Kusterman, 8 Maher, Manthey and Mayor Reinert 9 MEMBERS ABSENT None 10 11 Staff members present: Public Safety Director John Swenson; Community Development 12 Director Michael Grochala; City Engineer Katie Larsen; City Clerk Julie Bartell. 13 14 1. Watermark Development Update —Community Development Director 15 Grochala reviewed the history of the site and staff s work with Mattamy Homes on the 16 Watermark Development. Mattamy Homes is now stepping out of the Minnesota 17 housing market and is seeking new ownership of the site and Lennar Homes is looking at 18 stepping into that role. Lennar has provided a preliminary site plan that is currently 19 under staff review and that has been provided to the council. He noted some basic 20 differences in sizes, numbers and styles from the original plans. Staff provided the 21 council with product books provided by Lennar that highlight their home style offerings. 22 Mr. Grochala introduced Joe Jablonski representing Lennar Homes. 23 Mr. Jablonski explained Lennar's background and history; originally the company was 24 Orin Thompson Homes and, through several acquisitions, has evolved into Lennar since 25 about 2000. The entire executive team of the company has more than 20 years of 26 experience, some going back to the 1950's. They are awell-established builder in the 27 area. He noted the styles book that was distributed, highlighting the many types of 28 products they offer. They do have other developments in the area that could be viewed by 29 the council. Mr. Jablonski noted that the Watermark Development elements would 30 mostly be maintained by Lennar as indicated by their preliminary proposal (site plan on 31 file). They propose a variety of home styles, including townhome varieties, in their 32 developments. They are still learning about the community as they further develop their 33 proposal. 34 35 Council Member Rafferty asked if the clubhouse element is still included. Mr. Jablonski 36 explained that they are first concentrating on lot layout and development timeframe. 37 They are taking the opportunity to introduce themselves and hear feedback on the plans 38 presented at this point. They are interested in taking the council's comments into 39 consideration. 40 41 Mayor Reinert said there are obviously more of the smaller homes/lots than the previous 42 plans. He likes the single family one level housing element and that is a positive within 43 the development. He thinks that Lennar is just starting their process so there is still 44 planning to be done. 1