08-26-2024 City Council Agenda Packet (2)

Home Search

Council Minutes -6- July 8, 2024 Melissa Schultz, 6831 Black Duck Circle, Lino Lakes, stated that she has a degree in architecture with coursework in urban planning and sustainability. The last 16 years of her career have been spent working on major infrastructure projects throughout the state and communities just like Lino Lakes. She stated that she works with Master Plans in her career. She said she recently spoke at a Planning and Zoning meeting. So, she wouldn't reiterate everything. But the main topic of the speech that she gave, there was the need for a moratorium and Master Plan, with an emphasis on context sensitive solutions. Ms. Schultz stated that presentation, she took it upon herself to do a small study of the lots in the neighborhoods in the northwest quadrant, going from Sunset to Lilac then Main to Fourth and the developments directly adjacent to the fields. So, the surrounding homes in the 1970s had an average lot size of 2.77 acres. In the 80s, the lot sizes dropped by point two acres. In the 90s, they dropped a massive 1.48 acres per lot. In the early 2000s. The lots got another point six, six acres smaller, the proposed development reduces that by another point 11 acres. So over 50 years of development in this area, the lot sizes have been reduced by a staggering two and a half acres per home. When looking at the average lot size of all of the surrounding homes combined, the average lot size is 1.43 acres, the average lot size of the proposed development is a mere point two. So, these lots are 1.2 acres smaller than the average adjacent lot. This isn't beneficial for wildlife, or natural resources. It can increase heat island effect, and doesn't benefit the existing residents. Ms. Schultz encouraged the City Council to vote yes on the moratorium, and to spend the next year having really meaningful conversations about what is best for our beautiful community. Jeff Johnson 6965 Sunrise Drive, Lino Lakes, stated that he is in favor of the moratorium. He questioned why the project was being proposed for this location by the developer. While it might be perfect for the developer, it would also be such a drastic change to our area. He said that he lives in this area because he likes what he has for open space. It's not up to him who lives next door, but he is not looking forward to high density or 150 homes, put down in a small area. Yahya Khan, 12142 Bataan Street NE, stated that he is here tonight because he cares deeply about our community. He said that his mother didn't let him attend the last meeting because she feared for his safety. He said that his dad disagreed with her. His father encouraged him to come to this meeting and share his thoughts. He said that he asked his father who has been a proud resident of Blaine for many decades, if he ever felt hatred in his life. He said no, he said his mother, who wears a hijab and works at the hospital, also agreed that she hadn't felt any hatred towards her in her life. He said that his mother has attended these meetings before, and found everyone friendly and welcome. He said that he had also attended a couple of these meetings before and found everyone welcoming. He then asked why his mother felt a hint of fear that Monday about sending her children to this meeting. He questioned if it was because of the negative comments she read online. He questioned if it was because people who supported this project were kicked out of a Facebook page or received threatening text messages. He said that he wanted to know what the Council Members would say to his mother about the fear she felt in her heart that day. Mr. Khan stated that he learned that the Madinah Lakes project includes 50 acres of greenspace trails and fields for soccer, football and basketball. It also includes a place of worship and is open to people of all faiths. He said there are kids like him, who grew up playing a basketball, soccer and football who would love a subdivision like Madinah Lakes that that they can enjoy the parks and facilities and become upstanding members of the community. He stated that he hoped the Council would not deny them the opportunity explore and to make new memories and grow in the great City of Lino Lakes. Sara Shahid 12724 Leyte Street, Blaine, stated that she is a strong supporter of not only the Madinah Lakes development, but of equality and justice and she is opposed to the proposed moratorium. A