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