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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/2025 P & Z Minutes CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES DATE: August 13, 2025 TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED: 8:17 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Isaac Wipperfurth, Nathan Vojtech, Neil Evenson Michael Root, Suzy Guthmueller, Perry Laden, Patrick Kohler MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee Marissa Ertel 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Root called the Lino Lakes Planning & Zoning Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on August 13, 2025. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Root declared public comment open at 6:33 p.m. Carol Featherstone, 631 Andall Street, spoke about the Natures Refuge North Final Plat. Ms. Featherstone was concerned about the differences between the preliminary and final plat. Ms. Featherstone wanted to address the connection with Andall Street for emergency access only. Mr. Vojtech moved to close public comment. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. Public comment was closed at 6:35 p.m. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DRAFT MINUTES Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 2 Mr. Kohler moved to approve the July 9, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden with one change. Motion carried 6 – 0 with one abstention. 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Public Hearing: Lino Lakes Main Street Master Plan Leila Bunge with Kimley Horn presented the Main Street Master Plan presentation. On July 8, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 11-24 establishing a moratorium on residential development around the Main Street corridor between Sunset and 4th Avenue. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow for the completion of a master plan and Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the area. The moratorium will end on August 15, 2025. The AUAR comment period ended on June 26th and responses to comments have been prepared by the project team. The adoption of the AUAR was brought to the City Council for consideration on August 11, 2025. An AUAR mitigation plan has been incorporated into the Master Plan document to guide development activities. The first draft Master Plan was presented to the Planning & Zoning Board on July 9, 2025. The Master Plan is a compilation of the process undertaken, site overview and constraints and planning considerations. The Preferred Scenario – Scenario 2 concept is more fully developed with key concepts highlighted and system plans. Mr. Wipperfurth had questions about the next steps once the Master Plan is adopted. Mr. Grochala let the Board know that the City would need to make a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, which would amend the current 2040 Plan. Mr. Wipperfurth asked whether developers would be able to apply to develop the land before the comprehensive plan is adopted. Mr. Grochala explained that theoretically someone could submit an application but they would have to follow the upcoming adoption. Mr. Vojtech had questions about the addition of wells to the area. Mr. Grochala explained that two wells need to be added over the next thirty years. The wells would be added as needed when future development starts. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 3 Angela Coil, 7672 Sunset Avenue, asked for a better understanding of Sunset Avenue becoming a gateway since there is some confusion with the county. Ms. Coil had concerns regarding the potential increase in traffic in the area. Ms. Coil likes the small town feel of Lino Lakes and does not think the City needs to develop as quickly and believes residents are opposed to high density housing. Sue Bass, 197 Shetland Lane, had concerns regarding the proposed connection of Century Trail to Main Street. Ms. Bass was worried that Robinson Drive would experience vehicles travelling faster through the area to avoid potential traffic. Ms. Bass had concerns about the safety of families in the neighborhood if more traffic were to travel through. Julia Nelson, 689 Oak Lane, was glad the topic of water consumption in the area was brought up. Ms. Nelson had concerns about the City being sued for overuse of water. Ms. Nelson does not think it would be as simple as adding more wells to provide water for potential future developments. Ms. Nelson understands that the City must follow guidelines put in place by the Metropolitan Council but believes Lino Lakes should take a stand. Sam Bennett, 6841 Lakeview Drive, wanted to speak on prioritizing parks being closer to commercial space. Mr. Bennett believes having the park away from the commercial space in the proposed plan would not promote community development. Chris Stowe, 426 Pine Street, agreed with the previous comment regarding water and wells concerns. Mr. Stowe brought up concerns regarding speed limits and safety on Pine Street with potential new developments. Mr. Stowe is not in favor of higher density housing. Mr. Vojtech moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. The public hearing was closed at 7:09 p.m. Mr. Root addressed comments made during the public hearing. Mr. Root asked staff to clarify Sunset Avenue becoming a gateway. Mr. Grochala stated that the gateway would be more aesthetic, not becoming a highway. Sunset Avenue is a county road, and the county is currently designing. Mr. Grochala explained that Main Street would be where the majority of traffic would be routed. Mr. Root wanted to address the comments regarding density requirements. Mr. Grochala stated that comments and resident concerns regarding density have been frequent for thirty years. The City is growing in the path of development for the metro area and the City is required to meet density requirements per Metropolitan Council Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 4 and state legislature. The City is trying their best to address those concerns with the residents. Mr. Root wanted to address pushing back on the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Grochala spoke about a previous lawsuit with Lake Elmo and the risks to pushing back on the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Root wanted to address the concerns about traffic. Mr. Grochala stated that there was a very extensive traffic study performed in the AUAR. The growth of all the cities around us is also a factor in how the City will move forward with developing the roads. Mr. Grochala stated the City must match what is going on with the county updates to the roads. Mr. Grochala stated that in the current 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Robinson Drive is a collector street. Mr. Root wanted to address the wells and drinking water. Mr. Grochala stated the City has a long-range plan for water use. The Metropolitan Council is observing our water use to get a better understanding of trends for future development in the metro area. Mr. Grochala explained that currently the biggest concern is trying to eliminate water use for irrigation. Mr. Root wanted to address that development would not be allowed if there was no water supply. Mr. Grochala confirmed. Mr. Root wanted to address the flooding. Mr. Grochala stated that the Northwest area is low elevation and are in floodplains. The Board is aware that the City does extensive flood studies. Mr. Grochala stated that developers will have to prove that they will be able to accommodate the flooding in the area. Mr. Root wanted to address the parks in this plan. Mr. Grochala spoke about the City’s plan to have few larger parks with more enhancements. Mr. Grochala stated that this plan is a guideline and that a potential development could come in and place a park closer to commercial areas. Mr. Root wanted to address the comments about Madinah Lakes and potential new development applications being able to come in with the moratorium being lifted August 15, 2025. Mr. Grochala explained that if the developers were to come in they would be going through the land use application process along with the comprehensive plan amendment. Ms. Guthmueller had a question about Metropolitan Council and the requirements for density. Ms. Guthmueller understood that there would be lawsuits if the City were to not follow their adopted guidelines but wants better understanding of the Metropolitan Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 5 Councils purpose. Mr. Grochala explained the purpose of the Metropolitan Council. Any updates the City makes to our comprehensive plan would have to go before the Metropolitan Council to ensure we are aligned with the regional plans. The Metropolitan Council plays a role in helping the community with access to sanitary sewer and water. The City must provide a share of the region’s affordable housing. The City must make accommodations for affordable housing along with the surrounding cities. The Metropolitan Council requires the City to have a certain amount of land that is guided to affordable housing. Ms. Guthmueller wonders if we are building out too quickly and if there is a need for this much housing in the area. Ms. Guthmueller also had questions regarding surrounding cities and if we are all followed by the same rules. Mr. Grochala explained that the Metropolitan Council does have different standards depending on the City and does factor individual cities. Mr. Grochala explained that Lino Lakes forecasted population growth has been consistently slow compared to that of Blaine and Hugo. Ms. Guthmueller wanted to know if Metropolitan Council had to approve the Master Plan. Mr. Grochala explained that the Metropolitan Council would approve the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan but not the Master Plan itself. Ms. Hankee pointed out that Lino Lakes did push back on density with Metropolitan Council previously. Mr. Evenson moved to approve the Main Street Master Plan. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Motion carried 7-0. B. Continued Public Hearing: Peltier Ponds Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, PUD Preliminary Plan and Preliminary Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, U.S. Home, LLC (aka Lennar), is proposing a master planned residential development located west of CSAH 54 (20th Ave N) across from Watermark, east of Peltier Lake, and north of the City of Centerville border. The development contains four (4) parcels totaling approximately 125 gross acres and 246 housing units. The proposed development is called Peltier Ponds. The Planning & Zoning Board held a public hearing on July 9, 2025 and recommended continuing the public hearing to allow the applicant time to provide additional information. The applicant continues to work on the revised plans and needs additional time. Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 6 Mr. Wipperfurth had a question about the extension of the public hearing, and wants a better understanding what the developer could do against the City. Ms. Larsen explained we have the ability to extend the process up to 120 days total. Will Rogers, 7608 Peltier Lake Drive, wanted to speak about issues he mentioned at the public hearing held in July. Mr. Rogers is in favor of City water being provided to the area. Mr. Rogers had concerns that more people would access his property. Mr. Rogers was not in favor of a road connection for public safety purposes and does not believe it would be necessary. Mr. Root addressed the extension to the existing road. Ms. Larsen stated this would be addressed when the preliminary plat comes back in. Ms. Larsen stated that City staff is still waiting for responses from the applicant to address concerns mentioned at the July Planning and Zoning meeting. Ms. Guthmueller moved to continue the public hearing to the next Planning and Zoning meeting to allow the developer time to address staff concerns. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Motion carried 7-0. C. Natures Refuge North PUD Final Plan/Final Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, M/I Homes of Minneapolis/St Paul, LLC., submitted a land use application for Natures Refuge North PUD Final Plan/Final Plat. The final plat is for 45 single family villa lots. On May 12, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution No. 25-61 approving the Natures Refuge PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat. The Council staff report and resolution detail the project’s consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and compliance with the City Code. Mr. Evenson had questions regarding the outlot on the plat. Ms. Larsen stated that the City wanted to make sure the developer accommodated that lot for a single-family home as shown previously. Mr. Kohler moved to approve the PUD final plan and final plat subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 7-0. D. Java Lino Lakes Second Addition Final Plat Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 7 Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Java Companies, LLC., submitted a land use application for Java Lino Lakes Second Addition final plat. The final plat subdivides Lot 2, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes into two (2) separate lots. On April 14, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution No. 25-45 approving the Java Lino Lakes final plat. The plat created three (3) commercial lots along Lake Drive. Lot 2, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes was proposed to have a 3 unit multi-tenant retail building. The applicant is now proposing to subdivide this lot into 2 lots for the purpose of constructing a standalone Chipotle Restaurant and a standalone Pacific Dental office. Lot 1, Block 1, Java Lino Lakes 2nd Addition will still be an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts retail store as originally planned. On June 9, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution No. 25-77 approving the Java Lino Lakes Second Addition preliminary plat. The Council staff report and resolution detail the project’s consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and compliance with the City Code for zoning and subdivision requirements. Ms. Guthmueller had a question about if there would be an oil change location still. Ms. Larsen clarified that this is the second addition and that would be in the first addition and has not changed. Mr. Evenson had questions about the drainage discrepancies in the engineering report. Ms. Hankee explained that the drainage issues have been resolved, Rice Creek has also provided comments with the developer. Mr. Vojtech moved to approve the final plat subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Mr. Wipperfurth seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. E. Clearwater Commons Final Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Capital Real Estate, Inc., submitted a land use application for Clearwater Commons final plat. The final plat is for three (3) commercial lots north of CSAH 14 (Main Street), west of I-35E, east of 21st Avenue North and south of the park and ride. A stand-alone Chipotle Restaurant is proposed on Lot 1. On June 9, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution No. 25-78 approving the Clearwater Commons preliminary plat. The Council staff report and resolution detail the project’s consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and compliance with the City Code. Planning & Zoning Board August 13, 2025 Page 8 Mr. Root wanted to address the pedestrian flow in the area that was mentioned at the public hearing. Ms. Larsen explained that there would not be a mid-street crossing location added. Mr. Kohler had questions about the water supply for engineering. Ms. Hankee stated water flow for hydrants has been reviewed and public safety agrees with the assessment. Mr. Evenson moved to approve the final plat subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Mr. Wipperfurth seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Project Updates Mr. Grochala provided project updates to the Board. Mr. Laden moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marissa Ertel – Community Development Administrative Assistant