HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 draft 10-21-21 PC minutes
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
October 21, 2021
Chair Witte called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given.
Members Present: Chair Jeff Witte, Vice Chair Jenna Majorowicz, Christine Zimmer, Jason
Swenson, Pat Kaluza, Patty Zuzek, Ex-Officio Melissa Field, Scott Einck (arrived at 6:03)
Members Absent: Karl Drotning, Brooks Lillehei
Staff Present: Daryl Morey, Planning Director; Daniel Licht, The Planning Company; Penny
Brevig, Recording Secretary
3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes
The October 7, 2021 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented.
4. Announcements
Planning Director Daryl Morey highlighted his memo regarding tabled Planning Commission
agenda items that was in the Planning Commission packet for tonight’s meeting.
5. United Christian Academy
Chair Witte opened the public hearing to consider the application of Kotula Properties, LLC
for the following, located south of 210th Street (CSAH 70) and west of Keokuk Avenue: A.
Comprehensive Plan amendment to re-guide property from Commercial to Medium/High
Density Residential; B. Zoning Map amendment to rezone property from C-3, General
Commercial District to RM-2, Medium Density Residential District.
David Anderson from Frauenshuh, Inc. indicated that the development team is in attendance
at tonight’s meeting and available to answer questions the Planning Commission may have
pertaining to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendment applications. Mr.
Anderson presented a brief overview of their request. He stated that he agreed with everything
in the planning report and thought it was very thorough. He indicated on the concept site plan
that north of the pipeline is where the private school, Neurosciences Institute and the Sano
Wellness Center will be located, and south of the pipeline (outside the current MUSA) will be
the location of the athletic fields.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2021 Page 2
Planning Consultant Daniel Licht presented the planning report. Mr. Licht stated that Kotula
Properties, LLC is proposing the development of a 47-acre property as an education and
healthcare campus for United Christian Academy (UCA), Neurosciences Institute of Pastoral
Medicine (NSIPM) and Sano Wellness Center (Sano). The City Council heard a presentation
regarding the proposed development at their August 23, 2021 work session. The proposed
mixed-use campus requires consideration of amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and
Zoning Map that would allow for the UCA education facility and provide a pre-K through
grade 12 private school with administrative, arts, athletic, and other related ancillary functions.
The commercial land use and zoning for the NSIPM and Sano uses will remain as those uses
are permitted under the current C-3 District zoning of the property.
Mr. Licht reviewed the factors the Planning Commission needs to consider for the proposed
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Map amendments.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan guides the property proposed for development of the UCA,
NSIPM, and Sano campus for Commercial land uses and it is currently zoned C-3, General
Commercial District on the Zoning Map. Mr. Licht explained that the proposed UCA would
not be allowed under the current zoning of C-3 District so they are requesting that the portion
of the property to be developed with the UCA facility and outdoor athletic facilities be guided
for Medium-to-High Density Residential land uses on the 2040 Land Use Plan map and
rezoned to RM-2, Medium Density Residential District, where they would be allowed by
conditional use permit .
Mr. Licht stated that the zoning could be amended back to commercial by the City if this
project didn’t move forward.
Mr. Licht indicated that Envision Lakeville establishes a set of community values that are to
guide development and implementation of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, two of which are
High Quality Education and A Sense of Community and Belonging. The UCA project is
consistent with those two community values.
Planning Department staff recommends approval of the requested Comprehensive Plan and
Zoning Map amendments, as presented.
Chair Witte opened the hearing to the public for comment.
Robert Erickson, 19081 Inndale Drive
• Mr. Erickson handed out a list of 18 private schools in and outside of Lakeville that he
verified that Lakeville students attend. Mr. Erickson indicated that he received emails
and phone calls from Lakeville parents that have children that will attend UCA if the
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2021 Page 3
project moves forward. He summarized by saying there is a need for a project like UCA
in Lakeville.
Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Majorowicz to close the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes - unanimous
Chair Witte asked for comments from the Planning Commission. Discussion points included:
• Requested clarification on the relationship between the proposed commercial uses and
the private school use and what type of services the medical uses will provide. Dr.
Christine Stueve, with the NSIPM and Sano Center, addressed the question. She
explained that this will be an alternative medicine clinic that will be focused on helping
children and adults with trauma recovery using a Christian perspective. She stated they
do a lot of stress reduction therapy and try to take the fear element out of trauma to
help patients recover in a non-invasive environment. She stated they have been
working with the Lakeville school district on a pilot program. Having the equine center
would be a critical component of their clinic.
• Regarding the equine therapy facility, Dr. Stueve stated they are planning on 2-4 horses
kept on approximately two acres with a barn and arena. Mr. Licht indicated that the
keeping of farm animals is not allowed in the C-3 District. A Zoning Ordinance text
amendment would be needed to allow this type of use as accessory to a medical use by
interim use permit.
• Commissioner Swenson stated that he would have preferred if the preliminary and final
plat and conditional use permit would have been considered at the same Planning
Commission meeting so he could review detailed plans for the entire project at the same
time. He stated that he supports the UCA project because there is a need for it and it is
in a good location. He stated he will be curious to see how the City Council votes on
the UCA applications given that this is the third commercial to residential
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendment to be considered by the Planning
Commission and City Council in the past several months.
• Commissioners Kaluza and Einck stated they are hesitant to rezone property within
such a short time after the 2040 Comprehensive Plan was approved. They support the
UCA project, even though it rezones commercial property, because there is a need in
the community and it will be good for the City of Lakeville. Commissioner Kaluza
stated he would like to ensure the property will be rezoned to commercial if the UCA
project does not move forward.
Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Einck to recommend to City Council approval of
the United Christian Academy Comprehensive Plan amendment to re-guide property from
Commercial to Medium/High Density Residential and Zoning Map amendment to rezone
property from C-3, General Commercial District to RM-2, Medium Density Residential
District, located south of 210th Street (CSAH 70) and west of Keokuk Avenue, as presented.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2021 Page 4
Ayes: Swenson, Kaluza, Zuzek, Witte, Majorowicz, Zimmer, Einck
Nays: 0
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Brevig, Recording Secretary