HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/7/2026 EDAC Minutes
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE:May 7, 2026
TIME STARTED:8:00a.m.
TIME ENDED:9:22a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:Blakely LaCroix, Patrick Kohler, Nathan Vojtech,
Chad Wagner, Sam Bennett, Barbara White, Mark
Pfeil, Andrew Cravero, Suzy Guthmueller
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Jessica Eller,
Marissa Ertel
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Vojtechcalled the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at
8:02a.m. on May 7, 2026.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Cravero madea motion to approve the April 2, 2026 meeting minutes. Motionwas
supported by Mr. Kohler. Motion carried 7 –0.
3.DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.Town Center Master Plan Update –Market Study Review
Mary Bujold, Maxfield Research and Consulting, presented the Town Center Master
Plan Market Study Review.
Mr. Vojtech has questions about the parcel located near the Rookery and whether this
was included in the study or if it was still being held for future expansion of the
Rookery. Mr. Grochala confirmed that we would want to keep that parcel as part of
the future expansion.
Mr. Wagner wanted to know if there would be more of a push for multi-family on Site
A to further entice retail to come to the area. Mr. Grochala stated that this would be
an important first step to bring retail and restaurants to the area.
Economic Development Advisory Committee
May 7, 2026
Page 2
Mr. Kohler wanted to know more about what the plan for the Rookery would be to
make it profitable. Mr. Grochala stated that the City is still waiting on the market
study for the Rookery, but in the meantime certain areas of the Rookery are at
capacity and would benefit from expansion.Once the City has thecompleted Rookery
market study there are plans to set up a campus plan.
Ms. Guthmueller spoke about the Site A plot and how this should be the “village
center” and that multi-family building would limit this. Ms. Guthmueller has concerns
about the sites to the West and since the City doesn’t own that land anything could go
there. Ms. Guthmueller wants to figure out how the City can drive exactly what
residents want to go into these areas. Ms. Guthmueller states that multi-family will
not bring more to the area.
Mr. Grochala spoke on previous instances where there was interest in Site A that
would not require subsidies but that the City Council requirement that commercial
buildings must be built first stopped these developers from completing a purchase
agreement.
B. Project Updates
Mr. Grochala provided project updates to the committee.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Vojtech made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 a.m. Motion was carried 9 –
0.
Respectfully submitted,
Marissa Ertel, Community Development Administrative Assistant