Lakeville City Council — Transcript
Monday, February 2, 2026
Citizen Concerns on Proposed Large-Scale Development
Annual Economic Development Update for 2025
Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezoning for LAR Development
Draft Orderly Annexation Agreement with Eureka Township
Votes (3)
Proclamation for Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
Council Member Lee read a proclamation recognizing the vital role of school bus drivers in safely transporting children, often in challenging conditions. The proclamation emphasized their professionalism and commitment to student safety as essential partners in the education system and a critical part of community infrastructure.
Ordinance Amendment: Licensing Background Checks for Sexually Oriented Businesses and Massage Businesses
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [00:50:47] · Seconded by Council Member Lee [00:50:50]
The proposed ordinance sought to amend various sections of the Lakeville City Code to clarify and update requirements for licensing, background investigations, fingerprinting, and applicant cooperation standards for sexually oriented businesses and massage therapy establishments. The primary goal was to ensure compliance with Minnesota state statutes.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Ordinance Amendment: Lenar (LAR Development)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [01:22:15] · Seconded by Council Member Lee [01:22:20]
The discussion centered on LAR's request to rezone a 20-acre parcel (12 developable) for 46 single-family homes, increasing density from Low Density Residential to Low Medium Density Residential. Citizens raised concerns about wetland impacts, potential landlocking of adjacent properties, and the process for addressing future development of neighboring parcels. Staff and the developer clarified that detailed engineering, utility extensions, and wetland delineations would occur during the subsequent preliminary plat process. The developer emphasized the project's aim to provide needed housing in the mid-to-high $400k range.
Notable Quotes (6)
Whereas the city of Lakeville, Minnesota, school bus drivers uh safely transport our community's children to and from school and activities each day, often in challenging weather and traffic conditions.
All of these updates are intended to ensure that we are in compliance with the Minnesota state statutes.
No one has answered even one of my questions. No one has emailed us, called us, or even asked for a town meeting, which normally for this kind of a development, you would have some opportunity for that.
Many of the questions that you have tonight, we have the same questions and that's why we don't have answers to that. And that is what the process of the AUAR that's going on right now.
I believe that these single family homes will start in the mid to mid high 400s. ...our analysts have done a lot of research in the area...and they say, 'What is performing well? What types of households want to move to Lakeville? What do we have enough of? And what do we need more of?'
as our ordinance requires that the platting of this property would also include the extension of sewer and water to their properties which at that point would allow them to be developable.
Ordinances & Resolutions (27)
City document mentioned by a citizen, noted for not including US Fish & Wildlife Services outreach.
Documents cited by a citizen for not addressing traffic concerns.
Document indicating traffic safety concerns should be part of the development process.
A report prepared by a citizen's son, a commercial realtor, on land development based on landscape.
Environmental and planning review process central to the Leonard's development discussion; citizens expressed concerns about it being on the consent agenda and city staff noted many questions would be answered through this ongoing process.
The guiding document for city development, undergoing amendment for the LAR project and being updated to a '2050 Comprehensive Plan'.
Recently approved city ordinance that citizens hope will be enforced for development and praised by a speaker during the economic update.
Article cited by a citizen regarding community development's perspective on the AUAR.
Sections 1, 3, 10, 16, and 21 were amended for sexually oriented and massage businesses.
Accompanying document for the ordinance amendment on business licensing.
The next stage in the development process after comprehensive plan/rezoning approval, where detailed engineering, wetlands, and buffers are finalized.
Issued for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan project.
Ranking system where Lakeville achieved #1 for permit approval speed and was featured in its quarterly report.
Publication featuring the city's economic development.
Television program that featured 20 Lakeville businesses during a 'in your town' visit.
Monthly publications and media produced by the city's economic development team.
Publication that hosts events where Lakeville partners and participates as panelists and hosts booths.
Event where Lakeville representatives participated as panelists.
Event where Lakeville representatives participated as panelists.
Annual event co-hosted by Lakeville, the Real Estate Journal, and Dakota County CDA.
Event where Lakeville received recognition and awards.
Award received by Miycopy of Lakeville for innovative and quality practices.
Award received by Economic Development Manager Katie Bachmeer for championing workforce issues.
Partnership between Compass, Progressive Rail, and the city to develop a rail car storage facility.
The current comprehensive plan of the city, amendments to which are now subject to Met Council's new density requirements.
Metropolitan Council's updated policy plan enforcing a minimum 3.5 units per acre density for new development.
Proposed agreement with Eureka Township to standardize and streamline annexation processes.