Lakeville approves medical office development with traffic concerns
The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved a preliminary plan for Sundance Lakeville, a two-phase development featuring medical offices and rental townhomes, though council members expressed concerns about maintaining a private road that will function as a public street.
The City Council voted 5-0 on July 1 to approve the Sundance Lakeville preliminary plat, moving forward a commercial development that will include medical office buildings in its first phase and rental townhomes in the second phase. The project will be built along Buck Hill Road and Kendale Drive on the city's west side.
The main point of discussion centered on a private access road that will serve the development. While the road will look and function like a city street—same width, open to the public—the developer will be responsible for maintaining it rather than the city. Council member Michelle Wul expressed hesitation about this arrangement. "I'm a little nervous about this about handing it over," she said. "I almost feel like it should be our responsibility eventually turned over to us when it's fully developed." City Attorney Amy Schmidt assured the council that maintenance agreements and development contracts can require the private road to be built and maintained to city street standards.
Staff also flagged a potential future traffic change. The county plat commission noted that left-hand turns from Kendale Drive onto County Road 46 (also known as 162nd Street) may be restricted in the future due to increased traffic density from the development and other growth in the area. This restriction would not prevent public access to the development but would redirect traffic patterns.
In other business, the council unanimously approved several consent agenda items, including the Lakeville Police Department's 2024 body-worn camera audit, which found no violations of state law. The council also accepted a $750 donation from the Invictus Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club for the pink patch project and appointed election judges for the August 13 primary election. Mayor Luke Helier also signed a proclamation recognizing the importance of volunteerism in Lakeville, highlighting contributions from police reserves, civic groups, and faith organizations.
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Votes (2)
Consent Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Unspecified [00:14:02] · Seconded by Unspecified [00:14:05]
Mr. Miller highlighted three specific items: the 2024 body worn camera audit for the Police Department, a $750 donation from the Invictus Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club for the pink patch project, and a resolution appointing election judges for the upcoming primary. No items were pulled for further discussion.
Sundance Lakeville Preliminary Plat
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor Luke Helier [00:39:13] · Seconded by John Burmel [00:39:27]
The discussion centered on a two-phase medical office and residential development. Key concerns were raised about a private access road and its maintenance agreement, as it would function as a city street but remain privately maintained. Council members expressed apprehension regarding the enforceability of maintenance standards and the potential future restriction of left turns from Kendale Drive onto County Road 46 due to increased traffic density.
Notable Quotes (5)
item 6D is a report on the Lakeville Police Department 2024 body warn camera audit this is something that we're required to do by State Statute to audit our use of the of our body cams and once again we had no findings through that report
from a usability standpoint there will be no prevention of the public being able to use it um it'll look like a normal City street it'll drive like a normal City street it's the same width as a normal City street but from a maintenance standpoint we willon not have the responsibility of maintaining
the County plat commission reviewed not only the access of Buck Hill Road but also made a note that access to Kendell Drive will change may change in the future the direction that they're taking is any left-hand turns for traveling public coming south on um will be limited
I'm a little nervous about this about handing it over I guess I almost feel like it should be our responsibility eventually turned over to us when it's fully developed
in the maintenance agreement and in the development agreement we can address those kinds of concerns um if it's to be you know the equivalent of a City Street then you know the expectation would be that it would be built to city street standards and maintained in the same way
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
An official declaration recognizing the importance of volunteerism in the city.
A report detailing operational, financial, and community engagement updates for the city's Liquor Department.
An annual audit report on the use of police body cameras, mandated by State Statute.
Resolution appointing election judges for the August 13th primary.
A submitted plan for a two-phase commercial development including medical office buildings and future rental townhomes.
An amendment previously approved to re-guide property for high-density use, ensuring compliance for the Sundance Lakeville development.
Contract for the construction and initial requirements of the private street in Sundance Lakeville.
Agreement for the long-term maintenance and snow removal of the private street in Sundance Lakeville.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Liquor Department Mid-Year Report
Consent Agenda Items
Sundance Lakeville Preliminary Plat
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