Lakeville approves medical office development despite traffic concerns
The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved a mixed-use development on June 20 that will bring two medical office buildings to the northwest corner of Buck Hill Road and County Road 46, but the decision came after residents raised significant concerns about increased traffic and safety.
The council voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary and final plat for Sundance Lakeville, the first phase of a larger development that will eventually include residential townhomes. The project, presented by Mark Davis, will construct two medical office buildings on the site.
The primary point of contention was a Dakota County recommendation to restrict left turns from Kendale Avenue onto County Road 46, forcing traffic to reroute through a new private drive within the development to access Buck Hill Road. Multiple residents from nearby neighborhoods, including Strein Edition and areas in Burnsville, spoke against the proposal, citing concerns about traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and difficulty accessing Interstate 35. One resident calculated that the two medical buildings could generate between 110 and 500 car trips daily, depending on the number of doctors and patients.
Residents also questioned whether the traffic study supporting the project adequately addressed the access restrictions. City staff clarified that the traffic study did account for the restricted access and determined the proposed layout would function safely within the existing road network. However, Commissioner Zuzek expressed concern about the long-term maintenance and safety of the private road, which would serve as a main exit for the neighborhood.
The council approved the plat with 13 stipulations, including a new requirement for a shared maintenance agreement for the private road—a condition added in response to Zuzek's safety concerns. The development also includes rerouting of the Crystal Lake sanitary lift station sewer system.
In a separate matter, the council also unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Kevin Kwatt to construct a detached accessory building at 16560 Langley Avenue in the Orchard Lake area. The structure, combined with an attached garage, would exceed the city's 2,000-square-foot limit for accessory buildings by approximately 400 square feet. The permit was approved with 10 stipulations addressing setback requirements, screening, and building materials.
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Votes (2)
Conditional Use Permit for a Detached Accessory Building (Kevin Kwatt)
Dissent: None
Moved by Tinsley Morovic [10:49] · Seconded by Travis [10:52]
Kevin Kwatt applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to construct a post-frame accessory building that, when combined with his attached garage, would exceed the 2,000 square feet limit by 392-400 square feet. Staff noted a proposed setback violation from Legal Avenue and early clearing of trees. A neighbor, Darren Schmidt, voiced concerns and proposed a compromise: increasing the setback by 1 foot for every additional square foot over the limit (resulting in a 37-foot setback) and establishing a 'wood easement' for natural screening instead of planted evergreens. Commissioners and staff clarified that the attached garage contributes to the total accessory building area. Staff reiterated the necessity of a 30-foot setback and proposed other stipulations including screening and material consistency. The commission also discussed the type of landscaping for screening, considering a broader 'screening' instead of strictly 'evergreen trees' due to environmental concerns.
Sundance Lakeville Preliminary and Final Plat
Dissent: None
Moved by Zuzek [40:48] · Seconded by Tinsley Morovic [40:53]
Mark Davis presented a preliminary and final plat for two medical office buildings (Sundance Lakeville) at the northwest corner of Buck Hill Road and 162nd Street. This is Phase 1 of a larger mixed-use development that will include residential townhomes. The key contentious issue was a Dakota County Plat Commission recommendation to implement 'three-quarters access' at Kendale Avenue and County Road 46, restricting left turns from Kendale onto 162nd Street. This would reroute significant traffic through a new private drive within the development to access Buck Hill Road. Multiple residents expressed strong opposition, citing concerns about increased traffic, safety for pedestrians and children, difficulty accessing I-35, and the private road's maintenance. They questioned the traffic study's scope and conclusions regarding the restricted access. Staff clarified that the traffic study did account for the restricted access and that the private drive would function like a city street, though maintenance responsibilities needed to be formalized. They also noted the county's push to reduce access points on County Roads for safety. Commissioner Zuzek raised concerns about the maintenance of the private road for safety and suggested an additional stipulation for a formal maintenance agreement.
Notable Quotes (7)
one minor oversight on my part was that the accessory structure was also included was the attached garage to our house therefore with the engineered plans that I submitted that put us right at about 2300 square feet 2400 Square feet so I'm seeking approval for that additional 3 to 400 square feet to our structure
he's asking for 390 square feet more than allowed so I would propose that if he wants to build something 390 ft more than allowed that he would provide 390 ft more setback to his building so 390 ft divided by 552 7 ft so instead of 30 ft 37 ft
I am comfortable with these three additional stipulations and I think that they are good work by City staff to attempt to address some things by the neighbors and make the I think it will make the project more successful going forward but I am supportive of moving forward with the cup with those three additional ation
the traffic study says nothing about blocking the eastbound turning in fact it said it recommended no change to the existing traffic flow and so I find found it odd that the plat commission all of a sudden based on not based on the traffic study is going to block our access
if you consider looking at the two medical buildings on average a doctor can see between 11 to 25 patients a day and each building would probably have about 10 to 20 doctors in it so if you do the math that's between 110 to 500 patients which means 110 to 500 cars going through that private drive
the traffic study took all those factors into account and determined that the layout that is proposed functions as a as it should with the network that's in place it's it's as safe as it's going to be
I do think that's a little bit of a concern if that's going to be a a main way out for safety purposes for that neighborhood I I think having a maintenance agreement is going to be imperative there
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Application type for Kevin Kwatt's accessory building.
Report dated June 13, 2024, outlining staff recommendations for the Kwatt CUP.
Application type for the Sundance Lakeville development.
Zoning for the commercial portion of the Sundance Lakeville property.
Newer zoning for the larger Sundance Lakeville parcel, allowing increased density.
Amended by City Council for conceptual layout of Sundance Lakeville.
Report requested by the city for the Sundance Lakeville development, completed in May 2024.
Report dated June 14, 2024, outlining staff recommendations for the Sundance Lakeville plat.
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Preliminary and Final Plat for Sundance Lakeville Development
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