Council approves manufactured home park expansion with infrastructure conditions
The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved an expansion of North Creek Manufactured Home Park on Tuesday, adding 130 new home sites, but only after requiring the developer to make substantial improvements to the existing community first. The decision came after residents from neighboring parks raised concerns about maintenance, traffic, and safety.
The council voted 5-0 to grant a Conditional Use Permit for North Creek Estates to expand their manufactured home community. However, the approval came with significant strings attached: the developer must complete major upgrades to the existing North Creek park—including new driveways, signage, mailboxes, a playground, and tree removal—before any permits are issued for the 130 new home sites.
Residents from North Creek and the neighboring Country View park expressed numerous concerns during the meeting, citing poor maintenance in the existing community, potential traffic congestion on nearby Pilot Knob Road, inadequate storm shelter capacity, and worries about increased crime if units were rented rather than sold. Jay Van Tassel, representing the park's ownership, addressed these concerns by committing to sell homes rather than rent them and to implement crime-free lease addendums. He also agreed to the infrastructure improvements as a condition of occupancy.
In other business, the council unanimously approved a preliminary plat for the Air Lake development, which will bring Dakota Electric Association's new headquarters to Lakeville from Farmington. The project creates two outlots on the former Adelman property and includes a right-of-way dedication for a future street extension.
The council also celebrated community investments, receiving a $10,000 donation from Minnesota Energy Resources for a new gas kiln at the Lakeville Art Center—the first public art center in Dakota County to have one. Art Center Manager Nicole Pretzel reported unprecedented growth since the city acquired the Fine Arts Building, with youth program spaces up 155% and class registration income up 120% since 2022. Additionally, the council proclaimed February 19 as Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day and heard the Fire Department's 2024 annual report, which documented 3,646 emergency calls and the department's transition to a hybrid staffing model with 15 full-time firefighters.
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Votes (6)
Minnesota Energy and Friends of the Lakeville Art Center Check Presentation
Joe Massi Aren, Bob Ericson, Jeff Larson, and Nicole McCarthy presented a $10,000 donation from Minnesota Energy Resources for a new gas kiln at the Lakeville Art Center. Nicole Pretzel, the Arts Center Manager, then highlighted the significant growth attributed to the City's investment in acquiring the Fine Arts Building, including substantial increases in youth programs and class registrations. Bob Ericson also recognized Joe Massi Aren for his decade of service to the Art Center.
Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day Proclamation
Council member Dan Walter read the proclamation for Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, emphasizing drivers' role in student safety, navigating challenging conditions, and ensuring access to education. The proclamation also noted the industry's environmental efforts and safety record.
Fire Department Annual Report
Chief Meyer presented the 2024 annual report, outlining the department's mission, emergency response data (3,646 calls, 68% EMS), fire prevention activities (1,002 commercial inspections), and community engagement. He highlighted the transition to a hybrid staffing model with full-time firefighters, the impact of the SAFER Grant, and facility remodels. Wellness, training, and recruitment efforts were also detailed, along with community partnerships and recognitions.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Joshua Lee [00:35:54] · Seconded by Unknown [00:35:59]
City Administrator Mr. Miller highlighted two specific items: a resolution amending Lakeville Fire Relief Association bylaws for clarification and a resolution approving charitable gambling for Eastview Hockey Association at Crystal Lake Golf Club. The council then moved to approve the entire consent agenda.
Consider a Preliminary Plat for Air Lake DEA
Moved by Joshua Lee [00:39:46] · Seconded by Unknown [00:39:54]
Jeff Shener of Dakota Electric Association and Sean Regan of Hatrick Investments presented the preliminary plat for Air Lake DEA, which involves creating two outlots on the former Adelman property. The plan is for Dakota Electric to build its new headquarters on Outlot B. Staff confirmed the property is zoned and guided for industrial use, and the plat meets all requirements, including right-of-way dedication for a future street extension.
North Creek Manufactured Home Park Conditional Use Permit
Moved by Joshua Lee [01:32:02] · Seconded by Unknown [01:32:16]
Jay Van Tassel, representing North Creek Estates ownership, requested a CUP to expand the park with 130 new home sites. Residents from both North Creek and Country View parks expressed numerous concerns, including lack of maintenance in the existing North Creek park, traffic congestion, storm shelter capacity, safety, wildlife impact, and the potential for increased crime due to rental units. The applicant addressed these, committing to sell homes, not rent, and implementing crime-free lease addendums. The council added several conditions to the CUP, requiring substantial improvements to the existing North Creek community's infrastructure and amenities (driveways, signage, mailboxes, playground, tree removal) to be completed before home permits are issued for the new expansion.
Notable Quotes (10)
it's uh something that our large uh community of Potters that's at the Art Center has been requesting for a long time and it turns out that because of this gener generous donation we're going to have the only gas Kil in Dakota County so we're really appreciative of this
the art center has because of this investment has really experienced some unprecedented growth over the last couple of years uh the additional space has allowed us to offer more performing arts classes more visual arts classes provide more rehearsal space for our in-house theater company as well as rental companies that come in or partner companies that come in
whereas the city of Lakeville school bus drivers are responsible for the safety of children across our city often navigating challenging weather and schedules to ensure students arrive to their destinations and whereas school bus drivers ensure students have access to education that will open doors for them for the rest of their lives playing a crucial role in our local school system and serving an important as important figures in the lives of children
the Lakeville fire department is dedicated to serving the community Through the protection of lives and property by providing public safety education and professional emergency response
one thing I always like to note in inspections is when we're out in a business our first job is to educate uh the business owner or the occupant of why they're 's a violation and how to correct that
I'll just say I'm very excited about um The Economic Opportunity that this will bring to our city so de dakot electric thank you I've expressed that to your leadership and uh hatrick and Regin thank you for putting this together so this will be an excellent addition to air Lake
to invest heavily in the existing Community as well well and we're open to having that be uh a condition of the certificate of occupancy
I have seen deer I have seen flocks of eagles we have many many Eagles in that area geese ducks and an occasional Co coyote that's their home their home is going to get dis Disturbed residents along Country View fence line where they saying that the fence has to go in are going to be required to move property such as sheds at the owner's expense why those buildings were there first
We are committed to affordability Country View offers a lot for the community but we are still the most affordable community in Dakota County and uh one final thing I've heard it represented at the October meeting a year and a half ago that all these houses were going to be rental we do not allow rentals because we've had some back bad experiences with rentals
The tough part about all of this is that when we go through this process of um uh of approving disapproving or whatever of this um cup is that it's not that we didn't listen to you but legally a lot of things are our hands are tied to in the fact that um they has to be a really super good reason why we would ever um say no that would hold up legally in a court of law
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
A resolution making a small clarification to existing bylaws to adhere to state statute.
Approval for a new charitable gambling operation in Lakeville.
The first step in developing the Dakota Electric Association headquarters, creating two outlots for sale and future development.
A request to expand the existing manufactured home community with 130 new home sites, approved with additional conditions for existing community improvements.
Comprehensive report detailing the Lakeville Fire Department's activities, statistics, and strategic initiatives for the year 2024.
An official declaration recognizing the contributions and safety efforts of school bus drivers.
Updated in 2021, requiring all food trucks operating in Lakeville to be licensed and inspected.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Fire Department Annual Report
Economic Development - Air Lake DEA Preliminary Plat
Housing Development - North Creek Manufactured Home Park Expansion
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