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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2026 P& Z Minutes CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING &ZONINGBOARD MINUTES DATE: April 8, 2026 TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED: 7:47 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT:Isaac Wipperfurth, Nathan Vojtech, Michael Root, Suzy Guthmueller, Patrick Kohler, Perry Laden MEMBERS ABSENT: Neil Evenson STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee, Jessica Eller, 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. onApril 8, 2026. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3.PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Root declared public comment open at 6:31 p.m. There was no one present for public comment. Mr. Vojtech motioned to close public comment at 6:31p.m. Motion was seconded by Mr.Laden. Motion carried 6 – 0. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Wipperfurthmoved to approve the March 11, 2026meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 5 – 0, with one abstention. 6. ACTION ITEMS Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2026 Page 2 A.Public Hearing: Lyngblomsten PUD Amendment #4 (Mixed Use Building) Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes, LLC, submitted a Land Use Application for PUD Amendment #4. They are requesting an amendment to the PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat (“PUD Amendment”) to construct a 4-story mixed use building at the southeast corner of thesite. The first floor would be commercial uses, and the other three floors would be 59 market-rate independent living units for residents age 55 and older. Mr. Laden asked if this project would come back as preliminary plat. Ms. Larsen stated that we are considering the preliminary plat tonight along with the PUD preliminary plan. Chair Root wanted to know what drives the allowed permitted uses in the commercial portion of the building. Ms. Larsen stated ordinance 09-17 lists out all the zoning allowances for the site. Ms. Guthmueller had questions about whether there would be a crosswalk for residents to safely cross the roundabout. Ms. Larsen stated that there is a trail and sidewalks along and around the site. Ms. Larsen mentioned that they are recommending added sidewalks to the west side of the building. Ms. Guthmueller wondered if there would be enough parking since 70 spaces are in the underground spaces. Ms. Larsen stated that it was not a concern. Ms. Guthmueller also wanted to confirm if the square footage was similar to the original plan. Ms. Larsen stated it would be similar. Mr. Vojtech asked if there would have been a requirement for the applicant to keep the same color on the building. Ms. Larsen stated that there would not be. Mr. Laden wanted to better understand the pedestrian traffic on the site. Mr. Laden also wanted to ensure that the retail on the site was set up for success. Mr. Laden would have liked to see commercial on the corner but is still excited for the project to come in. Mr. Laden wanted a better understanding of if there would be signs for pedestrians to know what retail will be in the area. Ms. Guthmueller agreed with Mr. Laden about the site not being presented as the most pedestrian friendly, especially considering this is a gateway to the City. Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2026 Page 3 Judd Fenlon, Grand Real Estate Advisors, 90 South Dale Street, was present to answer questions and address concerns with the board. Mr. Fenlon has worked on multiple mixed-usebuildings and understands the constraints of these types of buildings. Mr. Fenlon understands the disappointment of having the communal space for residents as the corner of the property butmentioned that the depth of that space would not be conducive to retailuse. Mr. Wipperfurth had questions about the doors on the southwest corner. Mr. Fenlon stated that it would be for a more flexible retail space. Mr. Fenlon stated that having two entry points might be a lot for a retailer to manage in that square footage. Ms. Guthmueller wanted to know whether Lyngblomsten would be managing the daycare space. Mr. Fenlon stated that Lyngblomsten would not be managing the daycare. Mr. Fenlon stated that in the past year they have had at least three daycare providers inquire about space. Mr. Laden wanted to speak more on the two-point access and if this would put a hold on construction. Mr. Fenlon stated that the doors would be installed upon construction but would be considered an emergency access point unless the retail user wanted to use themfor store access. Chair Root opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Jessica Hidding, 629 County Road West, Shoreview, wanted to speak on sidewalks and pedestrian access. Ms. Hidding wanted to know if there would be crosswalks, such as flashing lights. Kevin Oberg, 165 Woodridge Lane, stated the buildings look great but wanted to note that if there was an ability to move the transformers. Mr. Oberg has concerns about the retail spaces and the square footage of those spaces. Mr. Oberg also has concerns about a daycare on the main floor of a mixed-use building and would like Steve Kahat, 161 Woodridge Lane, agreed with the board regarding pedestrian safety in the roundabout. Mr. Kahat wanted to ensure the safety of pedestrians who want to enjoy the proposed retail. Mr. Vojtech motioned to close the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. Motion was seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Motion carried 6 – 0. Mr. Root wanted to address the safety of the roundabout. Mr. Grochala stated that there is a roundabout at Rice Lake Elementary with the flashing beacons as an example. Mr. Grochala stated that in order to get the flashing beacons in that area it would be the Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2026 Page 4 county that would need to install them, but that the County is hesitant since it creates a false sense of security in the pedestrian and would not completely ensure drivers paying attention. Mr. Root asked whether there would be a way to move the transformers that are currently on site. Mr. Grochala stated that they wouldn’t be able to be moved. Mr. Root wanted to know more about whether the retail space would be sufficient square footage. Mr. Fenlon stated that the square footage would be ideal for retailers. Mr. Fenlon stated that there would be the ability for one user to take more space to get more square footage. Mr. Root asked Mr. Fenlon whether there are other daycare spaces on the first floor of a mixed-use building. Mr. Fenlon stated that there are many examples in the Twin Cities area. Mr. Laden wanted to know if there was already a tenant for the daycare space. Mr. Fenlon stated there is no current tenant. Mr. Wipperfurth wanted to know what type of food establishments would be allowed under a conditional use permit. Ms. Larsen stated that this would not be a conditional use permit. Ms. Guthmueller wanted to know what would happen if the commercial space was not occupied. Ms. Guthmueller was concernedthat the first floor would become apartments. Ms. Larsen stated this situation would constitute another PUD Amendment. Mr.Laden motioned to approve the Lyngblomsten PUD Amendment #4 with staff recommendations. Motion was seconded by Mr.Kohler. Motion carried 6 – 0. Ms. Guthmueller motioned to study the pedestrian traffic and roundabouts along County Road J. Seconded by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 6 – 0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Project Updates Ms. Eller provided project updates to the Board. Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2026 Page 5 Mr. Vojtechmoved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. Meeting adjourned at 7:47p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marissa Ertel – Community Development Administrative Assistant