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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 15, 2026 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: Chair Christine Zimmer, Vice Chair Scott Einck, John Swaney, Jason Swenson, Amanda Tinsley, Mark Traffas, Ex-Officio Jeff Hanson Members Absent: Pat Kaluza Staff Present : Kris Jenson, Planning Manager; Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director, Heather Botten, Senior Planner; Dawn Erickson, Community Development Recorder 3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes The December 18, 2025 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented. 4. Announcements Planning Manager Kris Jenson stated there were no announcements. 5a. 19730 Judicial Road Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of John Kalthoff on behalf of the property owners, Steve and Sarah Mealman, for a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow the combination of accessory buildings to exceed the gross floor area of the principal structure in the RA, Rural/Agricultural District, located at 19730 Judicial Road. Steve Mealman introduced the project. Senior Planner Heather Botten presented the staff report. The property is 11.41 acres in area and is zoned RA, Rural/Agricultural District. The applicant is proposing to construct a 3,024 square foot (72’ x 42’) detached accessory building and with the existing attached garage (768 square feet), there would be a total of about 3,792 gross square feet of accessory buildings. According to Dakota County GIS, the finished square footage of the home is 3,076 square feet. City code allows the combined accessory building square footage to exceed the size of the principal structure by CUP. The property owner has stated the proposed building would be used for family recreational purposes and personal storage. Community Development Department staff recommend approval of the conditional use permit. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing to the public for comment. There was no public comment. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026 Page 2 Motion was made by Swenson, seconded by Einck to close the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission.  Commissioner Swenson expressed his support for the project. Motion was made by Traffas, seconded by Swaney to recommend to City Council approval of the conditional use permit to allow the combination of accessory buildings to exceed the gross floor area of the principal structure and the findings of fact, subject to the following stipulations: 1. The accessory building shall be constructed in the location identified on the site plan approved with the conditional use permit. 2. The detached accessory building shall be kept, used and maintained in a manner that is compatible with the existing single-family home on the property and shall not present a hazard to the public health, safety and general welfare. 3. Sanitary sewer service shall not be provided to the detached accessory building, and the detached accessory building shall not be used as a dwelling. 4. No home occupation shall be conducted within any attached or detached accessory building on the property. No attached or detached accessory building on the property shall be used for the operation of any commercial business or storage of commercial equipment. 5. A building permit application shall be submitted to and approved by the Building Inspections Department prior to commencing construction. 6. The existing shed on the property shall be removed prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the proposed detached accessory building. Ayes: Traffas, Zimmer, Einck, Swaney, Swenson, Tinsley Nays: 0 5b. Lennar Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Lennar for a Comprehensive Plan amendment to re-guide property from Low Density Residential to Low- Medium Density Residential and a Zoning Map amendment to rezone property from RS-3, Single Family Residential District to RST-2, Single- and Two-Family Residential District. Steve Troskey from Lennar introduced the project. Ms. Botten presented the staff report. Lennar is requesting a comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments for three parcels of land totaling 20.06-acres. The properties are located east of Holyoke Avenue, west of Highview Avenue, and north of Heritage Drive. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026 Page 3 A sewer capacity report was done at the request of the city and paid for by the applicant. The parcels are near the end of the line, and a study was required to add the proposed increase in units to the sanitary sewer model to confirm compliance. The study confirmed the City’s sanitary sewer system has the capacity to serve the site with the proposed land use and rezoning changes. The proposed RST-2 zoning is compatible with the single and multiple family residential character of the neighborhood and is consistent with the present and future land uses in the area. The single-family home lots to the east would be buffered by a city owned outlot and Highview Avenue. The existing wetlands and proposed site design allow for adequate buffers to adjacent and nearby properties allowing for the proposed increase in density. The submitted concept plan illustrates a potential 46 single-family home development. If the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments are approved by the City Council and Met Council, the developer would prepare a preliminary plat application, which would require a Planning Commission public hearing prior to City Council consideration. The preliminary plat stage is when landscaping, setbacks, grading, etc. are reviewed for a development. Community Development Department staff recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan amendment and Zoning Map amendment subject to review and approval by Metropolitan Council. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing to the public for comment. Ann Wood, representing the Haglund property at 19874 Holyoke Avenue, asked if their property would also be zoned as single family. She also expressed concern about being landlocked. Jerry Jirik, 19845 Highview Avenue, expressed concern about leaving 12 acres in limbo. He stated there is a street that is dead ended to his back door and feels they should develop it all or not develop any of it. James Blare, 19841 Highview Avenue, expressed concern about being landlocked, as well as if traffic control is being addressed or when it will be addressed. Jessica Feist, 19830 Holyoke Avenue, expressed concern about being landlocked, as well as traffic concerns. Motion was made by Einck, seconded by Swenson to close the public hearing at 6:20 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Ms. Botten stated the six parcels north of the proposed development are not part of the request and will remain zoned RS-3, Single Family Residential District. As for development of the parcels, that would be for the property owners to discuss with the developer. At the next stage with the preliminary plat, a ghost plat would be required to show how road connections could connect into the single-family homes to the north and how the properties could be developed. Regarding traffic control with All Saints Church, the proposed street location on the east side of Holyoke Avenue was intentionally aligned with the church’s driveway; offset intersections create additional conflict Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026 Page 4 of vehicles on the roadway. Holyoke Avenue is within the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for reconstruction in 2029, with the street designed with these parcels in mind. Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission.  Commissioner Einck asked how many lots there are north of the Berean site. Ms. Botten replied there are six.  Chair Zimmer asked about whether the dead ends in the townhome area to the south are to be opened up to make crossways. Ms. Botten stated there are no changes proposed to the development to the south.  Commissioner Swenson stated this is one step in the process of a multi-step process; the developer will be required to prepare detailed plans for review if the project proceeds. Tonight, it is just the land use change that is being considered.  Chair Zimmer asked for clarification of what is proposed to be built here and what is allowed regarding multi-family homes. Ms. Botten stated apartments would not be allowed in the proposed zoning district or land use guide. Only single family homes, detached townhomes, and twin homes are permitted in the proposed zoning district. The concept plan is what the developer is intends to propose for the site.  Commissioner Einck stated as part of the second step, the tree preservation plan, wetland mapping, and the like would be done; Ms. Botten confirmed that is accurate.  Chair Zimmer asked Mr. Troskey to confirm that the intent is to build single family homes. Mr. Troskey concurred.  Commissioner Traffas inquired whether Lennar has an interest in developing the property to the north. Mr. Troskey stated they do not have any interest at this time and would like to move forward with the property they have under contract and keep the discussion and approval to the site being discussed now.  Chair Zimmer explained the scope of the Planning Commission.  Commissioner Swenson stated that concerns regarding school capacity, boundary changes, etc. are handled by the school district. The city and the school district do share information about development activity. This land has been zoned for single family for many years and is proposed to be single family, albeit with a slightly higher density than currently permitted. He likes the concept of slightly higher density being the transition zone between the multi-family housing to the south moving to the single-family housing to the north and east.  Commissioner Swaney asked if a traffic study will be conducted after the zoning is approved. Ms. Botten stated that staff is not recommending a study. Motion was made by Swaney, seconded by Tinsley to recommend to City Council approval of the Comprehensive Plan amendment to re-guide property from Low Density Residential to Low- Medium Density Residential and the Zoning Map amendment to rezone property from RS-3, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026 Page 5 Single Family Residential District to RST-2-, Single- and Two-Family District Residential, and the Findings of Fact, subject to the following stipulations: 1. The Comprehensive Plan Amendment must be approved by Metropolitan Council. 2. The Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments will go into effect after approval by the City Council and the recording of a final plat for the parcels included in the amendments. Ayes: Zimmer, Einck, Swaney, Swenson, Tinsley, Traffas, Nays: 0 5c. Lakeville Soccer Club Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Lakeville Soccer Club, for a conditional use permit to allow a commercial recreation facility in the O-P, Office Park District located at 21300 Juniper Way. Jim Beard, Finance Manager for Lakeville Soccer Club, introduced the project. Ms. Botten presented the staff report. Lakeville Soccer Club is proposing to use approximately 21,000 square feet for indoor turf fields along with office and meeting space. The recently opened Lakeville 35 Logistics Center is a 190,000 square foot multi-tenant building; Pickle in the Middle Indoor Pickleball Courts recently opened in the building. The applicant has stated the anticipated hours of operation for the indoor recreation use would be Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm and weekends 8:00 am – 10:00 pm. This may overlap with the busy times of the other indoor commercial recreation use on the property but will more than likely differ than the typical industrial peak demand. The two indoor commercial recreation uses would occupy approximately 33% of the 190,000 square foot building. Community Development Department staff recommend approval of the conditional use permit. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing to the public for comment. There was no public comment. Motion was made by Einck, seconded by Traffas to close the public hearing at 6:41 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission.  Chair Zimmer asked if they are keeping the existing facility or combining to the new location. Mr. Beard stated the plan is to bring all their activities to this location.  Commissioner Einck inquired if the facility use is primarily for training and practice. Mr. Beard stated the facility will be used primarily for training and practice during the winter months, however there may be some opportunity to have adult three on three or five on five games, and they are currently exploring programming options. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 15, 2026 Page 6  Commissioner Swenson stated that the parents will appreciate having the practices closer and expressed support for this use. He inquired if there is a cap of how much of the facility can be used for these types of uses. Ms. Botten stated the OP district does not have a cap; however, the building owner has a maximum number of commercial recreational uses that they will rent to.  Commissioner Traffas asked about the possibility of industrial traffic in the future and whether the applicant is fine with it. Mr. Beard stated they are not concerned about industrial traffic as they have different times of use. Motion was made by Einck, seconded by Tinsley to recommend to City Council approval of the conditional use permit for a commercial recreation facility in the OP, Office Park district subject to the following stipulations, and the findings of fact. 1. No H (Hazardous) Occupancy tenants are allowed in the multiple tenant industrial building as long as the commercial recreation use is a tenant in the same building. 2. The current tenant and any future tenants of the building being jointly occupied by this commercial recreation use shall submit Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to the City including any periodic updates as they might occur. Ayes: Einck, Swaney, Swenson, Tinsley, Traffas, Zimmer Nays: 0 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Erickson, Community Development Recorder