HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06
CITY OF LAKEVILLE.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
February 6, 2025
Vice Chair Zimmer 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: Vice Chair Christine Zimmer, Scott Einck, Pat Kaluza, Jason Swenson,
Alternate Mark Traffas, Ex-Officio Jeff Hanson
Members Absent: Chair Jenna Majorowicz, Amanda Tinsley, Patty Zuzek
Staff Present : Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director; Kris Jenson, Planning
Manager; Heather Botten, Senior Planner; Jon Nelson, Assistant City Engineer; Dawn Erickson,
Recording Secretary, Andrea McDowell-Poehler, City Attorney
3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes
The January 23, 2025 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented.
4. Announcements
Planning Manager Kris Jenson stated that the Findings of Fact were revised to correct the legal
description. Ms. Jenson stated there is a joint work session with the Parks, Recreation, and Natural
Resources Committee immediately following this meeting.
5. North Creek MHP Conditional Use Permit
Vice Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Dirt Boys,
Incorporated for a conditional use permit to allow the expansion of North Creek Manufactured
Home Park for the development of manufactured home sites in the RSMH, Single Family
Manufactured Home Park District and Shoreland Overlay District. Joe Mailander, Engineer on
behalf of Dirt Boys, Incorporated presented a brief overview of the request. Mr. Mailander stated
the plan would include 130 new homes at the site and there would be no additional burden on the
city as the infrastructure is already in place.
Community Development Director Tina Goodroad presented the staff report. She summarized
the history of the site; that the parcel has been zoned for manufactured housing since at least 1974
and that the third phase was originally proposed in 1989 and again in 1997. Ms. Goodroad noted
the amenities that are proposed with the third phase and that a six-foot-tall privacy fence would
be installed along the west property line and continue along the south property line, where it would
transition to a four-foot-tall chain link fence along the stormwater pond. A gate will be placed at
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, February 6, 2025 Page 2
Country View Trail, which will only allow access between North Creek and Country View parks
in the case of an emergency. Ms. Goodroad noted that the requirements for a Shore Impact Plan,
as required by the Shoreland Overlay District, have been met and that the DNR had no comments.
Vice Chair Zimmer opened the hearing to the public for comment.
Joyce Mallery, 4650 Eveleth Court, Country View resident, expressed concern about the increase
in traffic in the neighborhood, the impact to wildlife in the pond area, and questioned how the
development would impact property taxes.
Kurt Mecus, 17265 North Creek Lane, expressed concerns about traffic and the increased number
of cars, that the storm shelter is not adequate for current North Creek residents, flooding along
North Creek, and where runoff from the new development would go.
Linda Baumgartner, 17390 Faraday Lane, expressed concern about responsibility for maintenance
of the fence, wildlife in the area, and tree removal on the site.
Kevin Morgan, 17305 Fairgreen Avenue, expressed concern about non-residents visiting the site
and conducting illegal activity.
Dan Gustafson, 5775 Country View Trail, Owner of Country View MHP, stated he constructed
the park in 1972 and has been involved in the management for 53 years. Added that he would like
the fence height increased from six feet to seven feet, the height of the gate increased, and requested
that construction traffic not use Country View Trail.
Stacy Carvell, 17616 Fairfax Avenue, expressed concern about wildlife (including eagles) and the
increase in traffic and asked if the pond could be located along the west property line.
Jeff Carvell, 17616 Fairfax Avenue, asked when the wetland designation of the property was
changed.
Chad Velta, 17668 Fairfax Avenue, stated that the residents weren’t notified, felt the meeting
location should have been local to the neighborhood, expressed concern about cramming high
density on the property and whether the units would be rentals and stated that the owner has not
cared for the property.
Alex Rekstein, 17592 Fairfax Avenue, expressed concern about traffic and the electric line
easement being poorly maintained.
Amber Kipply, 17265 North Creek Drive, stated the park is in disrepair and is poorly maintained.
Jody Raber, 5696 177th Street, Country View resident, expressed concern about the safety and
security of children, doesn’t want that to be impacted by rentals, and felt that the entire
development fenced and the fence increased in height.
Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Swenson, to close the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.
Voice vote was taken on the motion.
Ayes – unanimous
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, February 6, 2025 Page 3
Vice Chair Zimmer asked Mr. Mailander to address the questions that were posed during the
public hearing. Mr. Mailander stated that a storm shelter that meets state code requirements is part
of the expansion plans. Mr. Mailander also addressed concerns about the flood plain, wetland,
pond, fence and traffic.
Jay Van Tassell, representing the owner of North Creek MHP, stated the intent is to sell all the
homes and not offer them for rent. He stated that they do background checks for everyone who
wants to live in the community. Commissioner Kaluza asked if they would be willing to have Crime
Free Drug Free agreements if anything needs to be rented. Mr. Van Tassell stated they would agree
to that.
Vice Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission. Discussion points
included:
A request was made for the representative of the owner to respond to the state of the park. Mr.
Van Tassel stated they would be doing some maintenance and improvements with the
expansion. The owner was urged to address resident concerns in the park before it goes to City
Council.
There was concern expressed about the space between the fence and the rear property lines and
the possibility of it being used as a thoroughfare. Mr. Mailander stated that there isn’t access to
create a thoroughfare.
It was noted the wetland process appears to be followed and the stormwater ponds are in the
correct location based on the site. The number of units proposed for the site was reduced in
order to meet the stormwater requirements.
There was discussion regarding when there could be a requirement for multiple egress.
Assistant City Engineer Jon Nelson summarized the traffic study for this area.
Following some discussion about the construction traffic, Mr. Mailander stated all
construction traffic will access the site through North Creek. Commissioners requested that
Ms. Goodroad add this requirement as a stipulation of approval, and she concurred with the
addition.
The City’s Land Use Plan guides this parcel as Manufactured Housing, which has a density
requirement of 4-7 units per acre. The North Creek expansion has a density of five units per
acre, in compliance with the comprehensive plan.
There was a question about types of trees and screening. Mr. Mailander stated there will be a
mix of overstory and coniferous trees. They will be trying to preserve as many trees as possible
along North Creek.
Commissioner Swenson expressed concern regarding the street crossing over the creek. Mr.
Mailander stated that they engaged with a local consultant, Collins Engineering, to evaluate the
structure and provide recommendations for the crossing, which will be implemented with the
construction of this development.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, February 6, 2025 Page 4
Motion was made by Swenson, seconded by Kaluza to recommend to City Council approval of
the North Creek Manufactured Home Park conditional use permit subject to the nine stipulations
listed in the January 27, 2025 planning report, as amended and adoption of the findings of fact.
1. That the site be developed in accordance with the plans approved by the City Council.
2. A fence permit shall be issued prior to installation of any fencing on the site. The privacy fence
along the west and south property lines shall installed prior to issuance of any permits for home
placement.
3. The chain link fence along the south property line shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height.
The gate at Country View Lane shall be a minimum of six (6) in height.
4. Satisfy all conditions stipulated in the Engineering Memo dated January 27, 2025 prior to the
issuance of a permit for home placement.
5. Tree protection measures must be in place prior to any grading or construction activity on site.
6. The applicant shall provide confirmation that an easement for the private road exists over the
city greenway parcel and/or recording of such easement with the recording of the CUP.
7. The applicant shall provide confirmation of a shared easement for the northern lot private
drives to serve the new expansion lot and/or recording of such easement with the recording of
the CUP.
8. Preparation of drainage and utility easements along the grading extents of both stormwater
basins and along the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), as determined by FEMA, in favor of
the City of Lakeville.
9. All construction traffic must be through the existing North Creek Development.
Ayes: Kaluza, Zimmer, Einck, Swenson, Traffas
Nays: 0
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn Erickson, Recording Secretary