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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 23, 2026 Chair Zimmer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Members Present: Chair Christine Zimmer, Pat Kaluza, John Swaney, Amanda Tinsley, Mark Traffas, Ex Officio Kelli Coughlin Members Absent: Vice Chair Scott Einck and Jason Swenson Staff Present : Planning Manager Kris Jenson, Community Development Director Tina Goodroad, Assistant City Engineer Jon Nelson. 3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes The June 25, 2026 Planning Commission meeting and Planning Commission Work Session minutes were approved as presented. 4. Announcements Planning Manager Kris Jenson notified the commission of an email that staff received regarding the Palmer Crossing preliminary plat. This email was provided to the commission for review in their packet. 5a. Amendments to Title 10 (Subdivisions) and Title 11 (Zoning) of the City Code Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider Amendments to Title 10 (Subdivision) and Title 11 (Zoning) of the City Code. Daniel Licht, representing The Planning Company, which provides consultation services to the City, presented the proposed amendments and summarized the proposed changes to the City Code. Community Development Department staff recommend approval of amendments as presented. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing for public comment. Charles Banks, 20153 Hollister Lane, member of the Lakeville Friends of the Environment and Lakeville Green Coalition. He expressed his appreciation for the proposed changes regarding data centers but added that he would like to see additional standards for data centers regarding energy and water consumption. Motion was made by Traffas, seconded by Tinsley to close the public hearing at 6:24 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, July 23, 2026 Page | 2 Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission:  Commissioner Traffas – Overall thought that the proposed requirements for testing of water, power and noise are all good additions and suggested adding an economic impact statement for data centers as well. Mr. Licht stated that the City could request that information; the City’s regulations primarily pertain to land use and infrastructure impacts. The economic impact would be considered separate from the proposed zoning amendments but agreed that it would be good information to have. Commissioner Kaluza expressed his appreciation for staff and the consultant’s efforts on updating the City Code. Kaluza shared historical insight into the process and indicated that the City Code is a living document that can be updated to ensure the best possible practices are put forward. Mr. Licht touched on data centers and indicated that the City Code pertaining to them would continue to change. The proposed amendments are a starting point and may change as new information and regulations become available. Mr. Licht shared more on how some resources that will be impacted by the construction of data centers are regulated regionally. Motion was made by Swaney, seconded by Tinsley to recommend to City Council approval of Amendments to Title 10 (Subdivision) and Title 11 (Zoning) of the City Code. Ayes: Kaluza, Swaney, Tinsley, Traffas, Zimmer Nays: 0 5b. 20010 Hamburg Avenue Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Pinnacle Family Homes on behalf of Fernando Mellado-Barboza for a conditional use permit to allow the maximum combined accessory building square footage to exceed 1,250 gross square feet in the RST-2, Single Family Residential District. Rod Just representing Pinnacle Family Homes gave a brief overview of the project. The current homeowner plans to to raze his home and build a new one on his 10-acre plot. Due to a large accessory structure on site, construction of the proposed attached garage requires a CUP due to the maximum accessory storage area permitted in the RST-2 District. Planning Manager Kris Jenson presented the staff report. At the time that the home and accessory structure was constructed, the Zoning Ordinance allowed the construction of both. When zoning districts were updated after the adoption of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the property was rezoned to RST-2 District, which allows for a maximum of 1,250 square feet of accessory storage area. Construction of the new attached garage space in addition to the existing accessory structure triggers the need for a CUP. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, July 23, 2026 Page | 3 Community Development Department staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing for public comment. There was no public comment. Motion was made by Traffas, seconded by Swaney to close the public hearing at 6:37 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission:  There were no additional comments or questions from the commission. Motion was made by Traffas, seconded by Kaluza to recommend to City Council approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow accessory building square footage to exceed 1,250 square feet in the RST-2, Single and Two Family Residential District and the findings of fact, subject to the following stipulations: 1. The garage shall be constructed in the location identified on the site plan approved with this conditional use permit. 2. The accessory buildings 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. No commercial activity, storage of commercial equipment or use as a dwelling shall take place within any accessory building on the property. Commercial storage or storage for third parties is not permitted. 4. A building permit application shall be submitted to and approved by the Building Inspections Department prior to commencing construction. Ayes: Kaluza, Swaney, Tinsley, Traffas, Zimmer Nays: 0 5c. Interim Use Permit to allow a single-family dwelling at 20975 Howland Avenue Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Ken Pitcher for an interim use permit to allow a single-family dwelling in the RH-CBD, High Density Residential District- Central Business District. The applicant was not in attendance, Planning Manager Kris Jenson presented the staff report. The applicant is request an interim use permit for a single family home in the RH-CBD District. Granting the IUP will allow the applicant to construct an addition to his home. Because the request is for an IUP, it includes a stipulation that the IUP will terminate when the property redevelops to another permitted or conditional use of the RH-CBD District. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing for public comment. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, July 23, 2026 Page | 4 There was no public comment. Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Traffas to close the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission:  There were no additional comments or questions from the commission. Motion was made by Swaney, seconded by Tinsley to recommend to City Council approval of Interim Use Permit to allow a single-family dwelling at 20975 Howland Avenue. Ayes: Kaluza, Swaney, Tinsley, Traffas, Zimmer Nays: 0 5d. Palmer Crossing Chair Zimmer opened the public hearing to consider the application of Poehling Family Companies, LLC. (PFC Builders) for a preliminary plat of a 24-lot single-family subdivision located at 7880 202nd Street to be known as Palmer Crossing. Nick Poehling of PFC Builders introduced the project and provided some background on their current activities in Lakeville. Community Development Director Tina Goodroad presented the staff report. The property is 10 acres and is zoned RST-2 Single and Two Family Residential District; all of the proposed lots meet the minimum requirements of the district. Gresham Way was stubbed to the property with the Aspen Grove development as access to 202nd Street (CSAH 50) is not permitted by Dakota County. The tree inventory identifies trees for removal while the landscape plan includes a buffer along 202nd Street (CSAH 50) as well as along the stormwater pond within the development. Staff recommends approval of the Palmer Crossing preliminary plat. Chair Zimmer opened the hearing for public comment. Jennifer Klinkner– 7947 204th Street - Resides adjacent to the proposed subdivision and expressed concerns about the increased traffic, given the number of children who live in the area. Asked if a traffic study was completed and if direct access to County Road 50 instead of Gresham Way was a consideration. Asked for clarification on what trees were identified for preservation on the site. Motion was made by Traffas, seconded by Tinsley to close the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. Voice vote was taken on the motion. Ayes – unanimous Chair Zimmer asked for comments from the Planning Commission: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, July 23, 2026 Page | 5 Ms. Goodroad noted that Dakota County manages access to 202nd Street (CSAH 50) and that a traffic study was not required given the relatively small number of units included in the preliminary plat. She also clarified what trees were identified for preservation and indicated that the tree replacement proposal presented by the developer meets the City’s requirements for replacement. Commissioner Kaluza asked if the roads for the existing neighborhood to the south were constructed to accommodate this number of homes. Ms. Goodroad confirmed that they were. Commissioner Kaluza expressed his support for the development and feels that it fits well with the existing developments in the area. Commissioner Traffas inquired about the residential building moratorium and asked staff for comment on this application moving forward under the moratorium. Ms. Goodroad explained that projects submitted before the moratorium took effect were exempted from the moratorium and could continue through the review process. Motion was made by Kaluza, seconded by Swaney to recommend to City Council approval of the Preliminary Plat for Palmer Crossing. Ayes: Kaluza, Swaney, Tinsley, Traffas, Zimmer Nays: 0 6. Staff Notices a. The City Council meeting at which the above items may be considered will be held on August 3, 2026. b. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2026. c. Planning Manager's memo There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stella Eskelson, Community Development Recorder