HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/02/2025 EDAC Minutes
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE: October 2, 2025
TIME STARTED: 8:00 a.m.
TIME ENDED: 9:40 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrew Cravero, Blakely LaCroix, Patrick Kohler,
Nathan Vojtech, Suzy Guthmueller, Randy
Rennaker, Chad Wagner, Sam Bennett
MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara White, Chris Spenner
STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Jessica Eller, Marissa Ertel
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Vojtech called the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at
8:00 a.m. on October 2, 2025.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Cravero made a motion to approve the August 7, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion was
supported by Mr. LaCroix. Motion carried 7-0.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Town Center Master Plan Update Scoping Discussion
Mr. Grochala presented the staff report.
Staff was looking to get EDAC’s input on project scope including:
Study limits
Objectives
Interest in Market Study
Degree of community engagement
Development of action plan i.e., Comp plan, zoning or PUD amendments to
implement.
The Committee had questions regarding the existing gas station on the west side. Mr.
Vojtech wanted to know what would happen with the gas station if development
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October 2, 2025
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started to occur on the west side. Mr. Grochala explained that the gas station would
most likely stay, and development would happen around the site.
Mr. Wagner does not believe we need a study, that we would need more residential to
get commercial. Mr. Cravero agreed that a study would be unnecessary.
Mr. Kohler had questions about senior housing in the City and the availability of the
existing senior housing. Mr. Kohler believes that adding senior housing and apartments
on the east side would be beneficial to bringing commercial to the area.
Mr. Bennett had questions about how close the middle school is to this area, and
whether a trail could be added to connect to the corridor.
Ms. Guthmueller wants to know what the benefit of a study would be for this area and
what we might learn from doing a study. Ms. Guthmueller understands that we need
more rooftops but wonders what else we might learn.
Mr. Rennaker wanted to know what costs would be involved with doing a study. Mr.
Grochala stated that a study would be around $10,000.00 not including a market study.
Mr. Bennett wants to know what would be included in the $10,000.00 proposal. Mr.
Grochala explained it would include site planning, land uses, drawing work for layouts,
and building elevation designs.
Mr. Wagner stated that in the grand scheme the lot cost isn’t going to be the deciding
factor when it comes to commercial development.
Mr. LaCroix wanted to know if economic forecasting is considered when thinking about
how we want to develop this area.
Ms. Guthmueller wanted to know how much say the City has when it comes to what
types of housing would be able to develop in the area. Mr. Grochala explained that the
City would have a say on the land use.
Mr. Bennett wanted to know if there was a way to leverage the area, such as providing a
Rookery membership. Mr. Grochala agreed that this is an idea that the City has
considered.
Mr. Vojtech believes that putting the high-density housing here on the east side would
make the most sense, since there is already high-density housing in this area.
The Committee believes utilizing the area for events in the summer would potentially
help bring eyes to the area for developers.
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October 2, 2025
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Mr. Rennaker thinks holding an open house would be beneficial to get ideas for uses in
the area and how to move forward with development.
Mr. Grochala explained that the next steps would be to move forward with a study and
hold an open house.
4. PROJECT UPDATES
Mr. Grochala updated the committee on current City projects.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Vojtech made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 a.m. Motion was supported
by Mr. LaCroix. Motion was carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Marissa Ertel, Community Development Administrative Assistant