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Planning & Zoning Board <br />June 17, 2024 <br />Page 7 <br /> <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />services time to determine how they will accommodate the influx of more than 1000 <br />people regarding vehicle traffic. She believes the safety and security of our residents <br />need to be at the forefront of this decision. <br /> <br />Mr. Darren Zabinski, 6711 Pine Street, Lino Lakes, MN 55014, Mr. Dubinsky stated a <br />moratorium was a legal action implemented by hundreds of cities with precedent in the <br />state of Minnesota and in Lino Lakes. He said many will speak today telling us they need <br />fairness like other developments. At least two other developments in our City have <br />been subject to a moratorium. Many will say judge it on its merits, and then call <br />everyone who asks a question racist and threaten with lawsuits. Although the developer <br />attempted to talk about the merits at the Planning & Zoning board last week, what was <br />conveyed was yards with weedy lawns, mosquito infested drainage ponds, maintenance <br />paid by US taxpayers, tiny lot sizes, highly dense apartments, long cul-de-sacs and a <br />vastly different design from the original plan. He stated the residents have lots of <br />questions. He said many will also get speak and talk to you about their experience as <br />urban planners, many from Minneapolis, population 42,596, Brooklyn Park population <br />83,324, or even Blaine population 71,739. He said we do not want to be Blaine or <br />Minneapolis or Urban. He stated residents who oppose developments of this size have <br />valid concerns. criminal history, lack of experience, not one single completed <br />development, the White Bear Lake water issues, DNR, environmental concerns, building <br />a new water plant, property taxes and maintenance paid for by taxpayers. He said we <br />need a masterplan for the northwest quadrant which takes time. He said even though <br />residents are now being labeled as a cult they will continue to stand strong and defend <br />their town. He said they reject all ignorant and bigoted statements from anyone. Mr. <br />Zabinski questioned if the development is good for both the City and the developer, why <br />are they forcing this development so quickly and oppose the moratorium so strongly? If <br />the development has merits, it should be able to easily survive a yearlong moratorium <br />and the developer would gladly take this opportunity to work with the residents and <br />council to make this development for everyone. He did not think the developer would <br />do that because he does not believe the development is for everyone and the developer <br />does not care what anyone thinks even stating on television even saying on TV “it does <br />not matter what happens he will stand here every inch of the way and do the <br />development no matter what, even if it takes a lawsuit”. Mr. Zabinski believes the <br />residents of Lino Lakes have the right to ask questions and speak their mind freely and <br />oppose major developments without the threat of being called names, bullied or a <br />lawsuit. The Council has this right too. He wanted to remind the Council and residents <br />that the moratorium has precedent, and the threat of lawsuit and name calling has no <br />place in public discourse. He challenged anyone to come up to speak to not use the <br />word discrimination. He stated it was the developers’ only argument and that they are <br />pushing people away but maybe that is what is wanted, division. Maybe this