Lakeville Officials Weigh Stricter Commercial, RV Parking Rules
City Council discussed potential ordinance updates aimed at alleviating resident complaints and improving street safety, with a focus on large vehicles and unattached trailers.
Lakeville city officials recently engaged in a work session discussion regarding potential updates to the city's commercial and recreational vehicle parking ordinances. The proposed changes are designed to address persistent resident complaints and enhance public safety and aesthetics across the community. No official action was taken during the discussion, signaling that further review and public input are anticipated before any new regulations are formalized.
The rationale behind the proposed updates was presented by the Lakeville Police Chief, who highlighted a rise in citizen concerns. These complaints often center on issues such as impaired visibility, street congestion, and noise associated with large vehicles. The Police Chief stated, “Looking to address some of the common challenges and complaints that we’ve received related to commercial vehicle parking, recreational vehicle parking, and the like across the city.”
Proposed Restrictions on Trailers and Commercial Vehicles
A key element of the discussed updates targets the parking of unattached trailers on public roadways. The Police Chief clarified the scope of this potential restriction, aiming to prevent the long-term storage of such equipment on streets.
Basically any type of attachment that is not attached to a vehicle would not be allowed. So, think a camper, a boat trailer, utility trailer, anything just sitting on the street would be in violation of ordinance.
Discussions also touched upon regulating the parking of semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles. Council Member Burmel inquired about extending existing overnight parking restrictions, suggesting a desire for more consistent enforcement throughout the year.
Have you discussed the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. becoming year-round versus just seasonal?
Addressing Practical Concerns for Drivers
While acknowledging the issues, council members also raised questions regarding the practical implications for commercial drivers and recreational vehicle owners if street parking is further restricted. Council Member Lee voiced a concern about potential displacement without clear alternatives.
I’m curious if we know or if you know anyone knows what the street parking is used for and why semi-trucks would need to be on the street like Jakard for example. …where do they go then?
Officials noted that some areas, such as a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) lot near 35 and 185th Street or sections of Kendrick Avenue south just north of County Road 70, are currently utilized for such parking, though not officially designated by the city. Comparisons were also drawn to nearby cities like Burnsville, which reportedly uses an old Volkswagen lot for semi-parking, suggesting potential models for Lakeville to consider.
City staff will now take the feedback from the work session into consideration as they refine the proposed ordinance language. It is expected that further public engagement opportunities and additional council discussions will precede any final decisions regarding these parking regulations.
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Votes (4)
Consent Agenda (excluding Items C and G)
Moved by Council Member Burmel · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
The Consent Agenda included the formal acceptance of a $31,500 donation from the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation for a new Lakeville PD Honor Guard, an agreement for design services for the Central Maintenance Facility renovation and expansion, and a feasibility study for the Clamoth Trail retaining wall. Item 6C was withdrawn, and Item G was pulled for separate discussion.
Spirit of Branch and Farm 8th Edition Preliminary and Final Plat Development Stage Plan (Goodwill Easter Seals project)
Moved by Unknown [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
Concerns were raised by a resident, Victoria Miad, regarding traffic safety and the use of outdated traffic data (2005) for the proposed Goodwill project. Shannon Hogland, attorney for Goodwill, countered these concerns by explaining the store's prototype design minimizes traffic impact, provided current traffic numbers from their existing Lakeville store, and clarified that the project complies with all codes and PUD requirements. City staff confirmed a new traffic study was not required given the site's commercial designation and permitted use. Discussions also addressed site maintenance, after-hours dumping, and the changing demographics of Goodwill shoppers.
Resolution acknowledging the City of Lakeville is being considered as host city for Expo 2031 and authorizing a public outreach plan
Moved by Council Member Burmel [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]
Wendy Medley, CEO of Expo 2031 Minnesota USA, presented the proposal for Lakeville to host the A1 International Horticulture Exposition. She outlined the project's vision, theme (Human Nature), and commitment to creating a lasting 'legacy site' with permanent structures like a USA pavilion, gardens, and an expo hall. Medley clarified that the resolution is an initial step, not an approval of final plans or financial commitments from the city. Council members expressed excitement but emphasized the need for extensive public engagement due to the project's scale and novelty. Funding mechanisms, relying on private investment and state partnerships, were also detailed. A public open house is scheduled for October 21st.
Commercial Vehicle and Parking Ordinance Updates (Work Session Discussion)
The Police Chief presented a draft ordinance to address persistent complaints about street parking, focusing on commercial vehicles (semis) and long-term storage of recreational/utility trailers. Proposed changes include reducing the general parking limit from 48 to 24 hours, prohibiting semi-tractors/trailers on public streets (with active use exceptions), and banning detached trailers. Discussion points included the rationale for these changes (other cities' crackdowns, lack of private parking options for truckers), potential displacement of parking issues, and the administrative benefits of a year-round overnight parking ban (which was discussed but not proposed). The council acknowledged the complexity but supported moving forward with drafting a final ordinance for future review.
Notable Quotes (13)
I'm here to express my concern regarding the proposed Goodwill project near HY grocery store located at 16150 Pilot Knob Road in Lakeville. I have no quarrel with Goodwill. I frequently donate to them, but I am concerned about traffic and pedestrian safety.
I'm also troubled by the use of outdated information from 2005 that the council is using to determine and assess traffic congestion. If that's true, you're really using information from 21 years ago and it's no longer applicable or accurate.
If people have a bad experience, if they have a long wait line in the donation queue, if they can't get in, if they have horrible traffic, they're not going to donate to us and they're not going to shop at us. So, we have absolute um confidence in this prototype.
Most of our shoppers are not lower class anymore. Most of our shoppers are kids because I'm old. Um, kids below the age of 30. So, you know, young adults, teens, college students, people just starting out, a lot of elderly people as well, and then people like me who just really like to find a really cool deal.
The traffic study would not be required um for this type of use. We've had long conversations with our city engineer and we would not do that for a single standalone independent retailer moving within a commercial district.
We are here tonight to formally invite the city of Lakeville to become the host city of Expo 2031 Minnesota USA.
What tonight's resolution means is I want to be very clear about what we're asking the council to do tonight. The resolution before you acknowledges the city of Lakeville, Minnesota as the proposed host city of Expo 2031, Minnesota USA and establishes the basis for city and expo to move forward together in the next phase of planning. It is an important designation, but it is not the end of the city's process. It's the beginning of it.
I don't know many people who've been to a world's fair... So, I think this public process is going to be very, very important, but um as the next step, but I do want to thank you. This is big news for Lakeville...
We're raising most of it per uh privately um and so there are about four different ways we're doing that one with earned income through our Tixir platform or 360 degree products and services and those kinds of things partnerships and sponsorships um and then we've got um donations and grants and then the last component really is um uh development.
Looking to address some of the uh common challenges and and complaints that we've received related to uh parking uh commercial vehicle parking, recreational vehicle parking, and the like across the city.
Basically any type of um attachment that is not attached to a vehicle uh would not be allowed. So, think um a camper, a boat trailer, utility trailer, uh anything just sitting on the street uh would be in violation of ordinance.
I'm curious if we know or if you know anyone knows what the street parking is used for and why semi-truckss would need to be on the street like Jakard for example. ...where do they go then?
Have you discussed uh the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. becoming year round versus just seasonal?
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Item withdrawn from the consent agenda at applicant's request.
$31,500 donation from Lakeville Public Safety Foundation for honor guard uniforms, equipment, and training.
Formal acceptance of the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation donation.
Agreement for design services for the Central Maintenance Facility renovation and expansion project (included in CIP).
Feasibility study for the Clamoth Trail retaining wall.
Resolution approving the addition of the Goodwill Easter Seals project as a preliminary and final plat development stage plan.
Official city acknowledgment of being a proposed host for Expo 2031 and approval to begin public engagement.
Proposed changes to parking regulations, including reducing parking limits, prohibiting semi-trucks, and banning detached trailers on public streets.
Zoning classification consistent with the Goodwill project.
Planning requirements that the Goodwill project is in compliance with.
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Other Topics from This Document
Goodwill Project Development and Community Concerns
Lakeville as Host City for Expo 2031
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