Lakeville approves waste facility zoning changes, tree preservation rules
The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved two major land-use changes on Monday that will allow an organic waste composting facility to move forward and strengthen protections for trees in new developments across the city.
The council voted 5-0 to amend zoning maps and the city's comprehensive land plan to allow Dakota Waste Solutions and Olm Holdings One LLC to consolidate their properties south of 215th Street into a unified industrial zone. The change is a prerequisite for the companies' planned organic waste composting facility and relocated wood chip processing operation. The approval also clears the way for significant public infrastructure improvements—including sewer, water, storm, and roadway upgrades along 215th Street extending to the interstate—that will serve the new facilities and surrounding properties.
In a separate 5-0 vote, the council approved a new tree preservation ordinance that sets removal thresholds and replacement requirements for developers. Under the new rules, residential developments can remove up to 40% of trees on a property, while non-residential projects can remove up to 70%. When heritage trees are removed for principal house expansions on lots of one acre or larger, developers must plant two replacement trees. Council member Joshua Lee praised the ordinance as "a good compromise" that influences development design rather than penalizing builders. "I appreciate all the work that's been done in here," Lee said, noting the rules aim to protect wooded parcels with large trees.
The council also approved two consent agenda items: accepting nearly $29,000 in donations from Lakeville Liquors customers for the Police Department's K9 program, and approving a grant application for the Lake Marian Greenway project, which has received a preliminary $1.8 million award from the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Fire Chief Meer presented the department's second-quarter report, highlighting a record 437 calls in May—the highest monthly volume in department history. Medical and rescue calls comprised 66% of the volume. The department has implemented new training protocols for emerging fire risks, including electric vehicle battery fires, which require specialized tactics like fire blankets rather than water. The report also noted three firefighter retirements and progress on a new fire station design and mentorship program.
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Votes (5)
Lakeville Fire Department Second Quarter Report
Chief Meer presented the department's Q2 report, noting a record 437 calls in May, with medical/rescue calls comprising 66% of the volume. He highlighted improved response times due to two staffed engines and discussed significant incidents like the Ivory Lane and Kenosha fires. Training initiatives included EV vehicle response, live burns, and mental health awareness. The department also saw the badging of new full-time firefighters, pay-on-call recruitment, and three retirements. Updates were provided on the new fire station design, a potential mentorship program, and the First Responder Skills Training Center. Council members questioned specific fire risks from lithium batteries, EV vehicles, and solar panels.
Consent Agenda Items 6C and 6E
Moved by Unknown [0:13:30] · Seconded by Unknown [0:13:35]
Mr. Miller highlighted two items from the consent agenda: Resolution 6C, which accepted nearly $29,000 in donations from Lakeville Liquors customers, earmarked for the Police Department's K9 program. He also mentioned Resolution 6E, approving an application for a $1.8 million preliminary grant award from the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for the Lake Marian Greenway project. No further discussion was held by the council members on these items.
Ordinance Amending Title 10 and 11 of the City Code (Tree Preservation)
Moved by John Burmal [0:19:14] · Seconded by Unknown [0:19:20]
Community Development Director Miss Goodro presented the proposed ordinance to enhance tree preservation, transitioning relevant sections into the zoning ordinance. The ordinance clarifies requirements for new developments, infill lots, and home expansions, setting removal thresholds (40% for residential, 70% for non-residential) and replacement tree mandates (two for each heritage tree removed for principal house expansion on 1-acre+ lots). The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval after two reviews. Council members discussed the measurement of thresholds (in inches, not tree count) and Council member Lee expressed appreciation for the ordinance as a balanced approach to encourage design-integrated preservation rather than penalties.
Dakota Waste Solutions LLC and Olm Holdings One LLC Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendments
Moved by Dan Walter [0:24:26] · Seconded by Unknown [0:24:32]
Mr. Mike Brant of Kimley Horn, representing Dakota Waste Solutions, introduced the initial steps for an organic waste composting facility and a relocated wood chip processing facility south of 215th Street. Community Development Director Miss Goodro detailed the request to amend the 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Map and the zoning map. This aims to unify the split land use designations of the properties into a consistent 'Warehouse Light Industrial' zone and incorporate them into the Municipal Urban Service Area (MUSA). This change is crucial for facilitating future infrastructure improvements, including sewer, water, storm, and roadway upgrades along 215th Street to serve the project and surrounding areas. The approval requires a four-fifths council vote and Metropolitan Council review.
Table Item 7C
Moved by Mayor [0:25:35] · Seconded by Unknown [0:25:40]
The council was informed that the applicant for Item 7C requested to table the item to the next scheduled meeting.
Notable Quotes (5)
May we spiked with 437 calls which is our highest volume in a month for the department history.
once an EV battery starts that uh fire, so to speak, once it it um and I'm drawing a blank on the the verbiage, but once it starts fire, there's no matter how much water you apply, you're not going to put it out until it burns through the cells that are that are faulty, so to speak. Uh so, on a vehicle fire, the best practice that's coming out right now is to cover it with a fire blanket.
I think this is a good compromise for where we started, but really the initial intent of this came up because we're getting into parcels of land that are very wooded and have uh very large trees that we want to protect in some way or have a replacement plan for... I appreciate all the work that's been done in here and I am looking forward to how this is really not meant to be something that penalizes developers but actually influences how the design is put into place.
They've made application to the MPCA for the organic waste composting facility uh that would be located south of 215th and relocating the wood chip processing facility south of there as well.
We will be working through infrastructure improvements on 215th Street as part of this project all the way to the interstate. Um with that will be sewer um water, storm and roadway improvements to serve this property to serve the properties to the north and as well as to the west.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Subdivision section being amended for tree preservation
Zoning ordinance section being amended for tree preservation
Ordinance for publication related to tree preservation amendments
Map being amended for Dakota Waste Solutions and Olm Holdings properties
Map being amended for Dakota Waste Solutions and Olm Holdings properties
Map being amended for Dakota Waste Solutions and Olm Holdings properties
Application submitted for organic waste composting facility
Application submitted by Dakota Way Solutions for their project
Accepting $29,000 for the K9 program
For a grant for the Lake Marian Greenway
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Consent Agenda Items
Tree Preservation Ordinance Amendments
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map Amendments for Dakota Waste Solutions and Olm Holdings One LLC
Tabling of Item 7C
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