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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 5, 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, Pat Kaluza, John Swaney, Jason Swenson, Amanda Tinsley, Mark Traffas Members Absent: None Staff Present : Kris Jenson, Planning Manager; Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director, Heather Botten, Senior Planner; Jon Nelson, Assistant City Engineer, Dawn Erickson, Community Development Recorder 3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes The February 5, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved as presented. 4. Announcements Planning Manager Kris Jenson stated there were no announcements. 5a. Prime 35 Lakeville Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Crosby Development Partners, LLC for a preliminary plat for an industrial development to be known as Prime 35 Industrial. Jordan Silver, Crosby Development Partners, introduced the project. Senior Planner Heather Botten presented the staff report. The Prime 35 Industrial plat proposes eight lots and four outlots. The site is proposed for industrial development that will consist of warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing uses, with the final build out adding over one million square feet of industrial space. Two of the outlots are proposed to be deeded to the city to protect the wetlands while the others would be retained by the developer. The property is zoned I-1, Light Industrial and is located south of 215 th Street (CSAH 70) and west of Jacquard Avenue. The two parent parcels total 145 acres in area and the property is currently used for agricultural purposes. There is one natural gas pipeline that dissects the property from west to east and the property is located in floodplain areas associated with the West Branch South Creek corridor. Community Development Department staff recommend approval of the preliminary plat. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing to the public for comment. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, March 5, 2026 Page 2 There was no public comment. Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Einck to close the public hearing at 6:13 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission.  Commissioner Kaluza asked for clarification of the timeline for the project. Mr. Silver stated they plan to start the site work immediately and would like to have one or two buildings within a year, and hopefully complete within three to four years. Development of the site will be market driven.  Commissioner Traffas asked about a small area that is not platted along the northern side and what will happen with that. Ms. Botten stated it is a private owner, and the owner of that property was approached and was not interested in selling at this time.  Commissioner Swenson stated that the recommendation of approval of a preliminary plat to City Council is for the plat only and doesn’t include a specific use for any lot in the plat. Ms. Botten noted that the eight lots must be final platted as into lots and blocks before any development can occur on those lots. Depending upon the use proposed for a site, future development plans may or may not be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council.  Commissioner Swenson asked about access for the parcel that is not part of this plat, as well as its relationship to outlots B and D. Ms. Botten stated outlots B and D potentially could be developed, and Outlot D would have access to 217th Street, and Outlot B would have some kind of shared access agreement through Lot Three. Assistant City Engineer Jon Nelson stated there is existing access from 215th Street at the northwest portion of the site, and that would be permitted again with the development.  Chair Zimmer expressed support for the development of industrial uses on to expand the tax base. Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Swaney to recommend to City Council approval of the Prime 35 preliminary plat, subject to the following stipulations: 1. All grading, drainage, wetland, and erosion control issues and plans shall be subject to review and approval of the City Engineer, including implementation of the recommendations listed in the February 23, 2026 engineering report. 2. The final plat shall be in substantial conformance with the preliminary plans on file with the Community Development Department except as may be modified by the conditions herein. 3. An agreement for any shared driveway access points shall be established in conjunction with the recording of the final plat, subject to review and approval of the Zoning Administrator. 4. As currently proposed, Lot 2, Block 4 will require a CUP in accordance with Section 11-16-5.G prior to final plat approval. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, March 5, 2026 Page 3 5. Outlots A and C shall be deeded to the City for stormwater management purposes with the final plat. 6. Park dedication requirements shall be satisfied at the time of final plat approval based on the fee schedule then in effect. 7. The preliminary plat shall be valid for one year from the date of City Council approval unless extended as provided for by the Subdivision Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance. 8. Landscaping shall be installed in accordance with the approved landscape plan, subject to review and approval of the City Forester. 9. The Developer shall provide a security in an amount determined by the City Forester with the final plat to guarantee installation of the landscaping and prior to a final landscape inspection by the City Forester, an as-built landscape plan must be submitted to the city. 10. Any signs installed upon the property shall comply with Chapter 23 of the Zoning Ordinance and shall require a sign permit approved by the Zoning Administrator prior to placement. 11. Applicant shall enter into a Development Contract and related agreements with the City subject to review by the City Attorney and approval of the City council prior to approval of a final plat. Ayes: Traffas, Kaluza, Zimmer, Einck, Swaney, Swenson, Tinsley Nays: 0 5b. Dodd Commons Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of the City of Lakeville for a preliminary plat, conditional use permit for a building in excess of 35 feet in height in the C-3, General Commercial District, and the vacation of existing public roadway, drainage, and utility easements. Assistant City Administrator Allyn Kuennen introduced the project and presented a background and overview of the proposed project. Mr. Kuennen introduced Fire Chief Mike Meyer and District Chief Brian Jacobson. Ms. Jenson presented the staff report. The Dodd Commons plat includes the construction of a new fire station to replace and combine Fire Station 2 and Fire Station 4. The proposed site is 23.36 acres and is located north of 179th Street (CSAH 9), south of Dodd Boulevard, and east of Granby Lane. The property is zoned C-3, General Commercial District and P/OS, Public and Open Space. Lot 1, Block 1 is for the fire station, Outlot A is for the stormwater pond, Outlot B is the water tower site and the remainder of the site is Outlot C which will be available for future development. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, March 5, 2026 Page 4 Community Development Department staff recommend approval of the Dodd Commons preliminary plat, conditional use permit, and vacation of public roadway, drainage, and utility easements. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing to the public for comment. Kathleen Fitzpatrick, 17810 Graphite Lane, asked about fire truck access to 179th Street, as traffic on 179th Street is dangerous and problematic. Motion was made by Einck, seconded by Swaney to close the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Mr. Nelson stated that the City is working with Dakota County at the intersection of Granby Lane and 179th Street on what the vehicle pre-emption should look like with this fire station being constructed. The specifics of the system have not yet been determined, but City staff are looking at other examples, such as in Eagan, where they have a similar situation and layout by a county road. Regarding the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Glacier Way, Mr. Nelson stated they are discussing alternatives for getting onto Cedar Avenue with Dakota County, who has jurisdiction over the road. Mr. Kuennen stated the Opticon system is the technical term for the system that the fire station will be using. He explained how the system will connect activity at the fire station to trigger the signal at 179th Street and Cedar Avenue to change to all red lights to provide a gap in traffic for the engines to turn onto 179th Street. Mr. Nelson added that within the next few months the proposed system should begin to take shape. Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission.  Commissioner Traffas asked if the traffic system is not in place because it is currently at the preliminary plat stage. Ms. Jenson stated the traffic system to allow the fire trucks onto the roads doesn’t need to be in place until the fire station is fully built.  Commissioner Swaney asked if the architect for the Lakeville fire station is the same architect the fire stations in Burnsville and Apple Valley used. Mr. Kuennen stated C & H is the same architect. Commissioner Swaney asked how this fire station compares to those. Fire Chief Mike Meyer stated Lakeville’s fire station is similar to Burnsville, however there are other pieces brought in from other stations that were toured.  Commissioner Swenson stated he appreciated seeing where the generator boxes are located for cases of natural disasters. He also stated his appreciation for the truck turning abilities and the overall safety culture. He asked for clarification of what the training towers would be used for. Chief Meyer stated the training towers will be used for fire hose movement and water discharge, and that there will be no burning in the building. Commissioner Swenson stated he appreciated the concern expressed regarding the traffic in this area. He stated the Planning Commission is not able to act on these concerns, the county needs to be involved, however the concerns have been heard by city staff. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, March 5, 2026 Page 5  Commissioner Kaluza expressed support for the city staff and the work put into this project planning for the future. Motion was made by Tinsley, seconded by Swenson to recommend to City Council approval of the Dodd Commons preliminary plat, conditional use permit, and vacation of public roadway, drainage, and utility easements and the findings of fact, subject to the following stipulation: 1. Implementation of the recommendations listed in the February 23, 2026 engineering report. Ayes: Kaluza, Zimmer, Einck, Swaney, Swenson, Tinsley, Traffas, Nays: 0 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Erickson, Community Development Recorder