Lakeville approves two development permits unanimously
The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved two conditional use permits on October 16: one allowing a homeowner to build an oversized garage for his car hobby, and another for a new express car wash in a mixed-use development. Both projects passed 7-0 with no dissent.
James Cecil received approval to construct a detached accessory building larger than the standard 1,500 square feet allowed in his residential neighborhood. The addition to his garage at 18275 Exonia Avenue will let him move his car restoration projects indoors and install a hoist to continue his hobby as he ages. "I'm a hobbyist who likes to work on old cars," Cecil told commissioners. "This addition would allow me to get some of these extra projects that are out in the public view back inside." Staff noted the structure will match existing materials and height, comply with setback requirements, and won't be used commercially. Commissioners called it a standard request. The property's heavy tree cover will also shield neighbors from visual impact.
The second approval allows Mr. Car Wash to build an express car wash at the southeast corner of 179th and Cedar Avenue in the Marketplace at Cedar development. The facility will feature one wash lane, dedicated vacuum areas, and three entry points designed to manage traffic flow. Applicant Nick Johnson emphasized the company's commitment to Lakeville and the care taken in the project's design.
Staff highlighted a revised landscaping plan submitted after the initial application packet, which adds screening on the west side to reduce headlight glare onto nearby Glacier Way and adjacent townhomes. "This landscape plan now is in compliance with our code," staff member Miss Botton said. Commissioners focused on ensuring adequate vehicle stacking space to prevent traffic from backing onto public roads—a concern for high-traffic commercial sites. The 35-foot towers are well within the district's height allowances. The car wash permit includes eight stipulations.
The council also received an informational presentation on a 390-acre development in the Southwest Area being pursued by Artemis Development Company. Staff outlined an environmental review process that will study two scenarios—one based on existing land use and another based on a recently approved comprehensive plan amendment. The presentation focused on traffic analysis and potential school site impacts. No vote was required.
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Votes (2)
Conditional Use Permit for James Cecil (Detached Accessory Building)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Kuza [0:09:59] · Seconded by Unknown [0:10:39]
James Cecil requested a CUP for an addition to his garage, aiming to expand space for his car hobby, store projects indoors, and install a hoist for ease of work. Staff highlighted the RS2 zoning, the permit's necessity due to exceeding 1500 sq ft, and compliance with setback requirements. The proposed structure would match existing materials and height, and would not be used for commercial purposes. Commissioners found the request standard and reasonable, noting the property's heavy tree cover mitigated visual impact on neighbors.
Conditional Use Permit for Mr. Car Wash (Commercial Car Wash)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Kuza [0:23:44] · Seconded by Unknown [0:24:28]
Mr. Car Wash sought approval for a new express car wash within the M2 Mixed-Use Cedar Corridor District. Staff's presentation covered the site's layout, which includes three entry points, a single wash lane, and dedicated vacuum areas designed to manage traffic flow effectively. A key highlight was the applicant's submission of a revised landscaping plan to ensure adequate screening from nearby residential areas. The building's design, including two 35-foot towers, was noted as being well within the district's height allowances. Commissioners focused on ensuring sufficient stacking space to prevent road congestion and confirming employee parking provisions, which were satisfactorily addressed.
Notable Quotes (6)
I'm a hobbyist who likes to work on old cars and things like that. And uh I have a few projects around my property and I think that the addition will do two things for me. will be allow me to uh get some of this some of these extra projects that are out in the public view back inside. And uh uh I'm at a stage in my life where I have to consider using a hoist and my current situation doesn't allow a hoist. So this addition would uh allow me to put a hoist in there so I can continue to work on this stuff in my old age.
So the conditional use permit in front of you tonight is to allow the gross square footage to be greater than 1500 square ft. Uh so up to the the uh RS2 district allows accessory buildings up to 1500 square feet combined uh by right. So anything over that they can the property owner could ask for a conditional use permit.
Madam Chair, seeing no one really have any questions or anything, I'll just jump in and um state, you know, this is a fairly standard request for I'll say an oversized garage um that we encounter from time to time as the planning commission.
Um we are hoping to construct a new express car wash and um applying for the conditional use permit in the Cedar PL uh sorry the marketplace at the Cedar development um that is going in through Oppedin. Um I think you guys will see that we have spent some considerable time on this presentation and um what we have shown and we are excited about uh being in Lakeville.
the applicant as um mentioned, I think he mentioned it, but if not, they did submit a revised landscaping plan since the packet went out to you guys where they do show the additional screening here on the west side of that basin in between the drive-thru area. Um so that will help reduce any kind of headlights that would be shown onto Glacier or to the town homes across the street. So this landscape plan now is in compliance with our code.
My one question is modern is about stacking and how we have stacking for um fast food and convenience stuff. Is it the same type of purpose so that it doesn't go out into the main road and can you just walk us through that? How much space is there?
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Permit type requested by James Cecil for an oversized detached accessory building.
Document supporting the Conditional Use Permit application for James Cecil.
Staff memo detailing recommendations and stipulations for James Cecil's Conditional Use Permit.
Permit type requested by Mr. Car Wash for a commercial car wash.
Document supporting the Conditional Use Permit application for Mr. Car Wash.
Staff memo detailing recommendations and stipulations for Mr. Car Wash's Conditional Use Permit.
Approved on September 2nd, 2025, and serving as the basis for Scenario 2 of the AUAR for Artemis Land Holdings.
Approved on September 2nd, 2025, related to the Artemis Land Holdings project in the Southwest Area.
Environmental impact study process for the 390-acre Southwest Area development by Artemis Land Holdings.
The initial document for the AUAR process, outlining the issues to be studied and potential data sources.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Car Wash
Informational Presentation on Southwest Area Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR)
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