Lakeville Residents Raise Traffic Concerns Over Proposed Goodwill Development
A new Goodwill project on Pilot Knob Road faces scrutiny regarding traffic impact and safety, while city officials confirm no new traffic study is required for the retailer.
Lakeville, MN – A proposed Goodwill development on Pilot Knob Road has drawn community attention, with local residents expressing significant concerns over potential traffic congestion and pedestrian safety. The project, slated for 16150 Pilot Knob Road near the HY grocery store, is currently under review as part of the Spirit of Branch and Farm 8th Edition Preliminary and Final Plat Development Stage Plan.
During a recent public forum, Lakeville resident Victoria Miad voiced her apprehension about the development's impact on the bustling area. While acknowledging her support for Goodwill, Miad highlighted specific worries regarding local infrastructure.
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.
Miad also challenged the basis for the city's traffic assessments, questioning the relevancy of older data used to evaluate potential congestion.
I'm also troubled by the use of outdated information from 2005 that the council is using to determine and assess traffic congestion. If that's true, you're really using information from 21 years ago and it's no longer applicable or accurate.
City Addresses Traffic Study Requirements
In response to inquiries regarding the need for new traffic studies, Director Good Road clarified the city's established protocols for such developments. He indicated that extensive discussions with the city engineer had informed their stance.
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.
Goodwill Confident in Project Prototype
Representing Goodwill, Shannon Hogland expressed confidence in the proposed store's design and operational plan. She emphasized that a smooth customer experience, free from issues like long wait times or severe traffic, was crucial for the organization’s success, indirectly addressing concerns about congestion. Hogland also provided insight into Goodwill's diverse customer base, noting it includes young adults, teens, college students, the elderly, and individuals seeking unique finds, reflecting a broad appeal beyond traditional perceptions.
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.
The development's progress will continue to be monitored by the city council as it moves through its preliminary and final plat development stages, with community input remaining a key consideration for future planning.
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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
Lakeville as Host City for Expo 2031
Commercial Vehicle and Parking Ordinance Updates
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