Lakeville Officials Review Southwest Area Development, Approve Local Projects
An informational presentation on the Southwest Area Alternative Urban Areawide Review highlighted future growth plans by Artemis Development Company, alongside approvals for two significant conditional use permits.
Lakeville city officials recently received an informational presentation detailing the progress and scope of the Southwest Area Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The review, spearheaded by Artemis Development Company, focuses on approximately 390 acres within the city's southwest quadrant, outlining potential environmental impacts and mitigation strategies for future development in the area.
While the AUAR presentation provided a strategic overview of long-term development, the same meeting saw the approval of two conditional use permits addressing more immediate community and commercial needs. These approvals followed public hearings and discussions among commissioners, reflecting Lakeville's ongoing growth and development.
Detached Accessory Building Permit Approved for Resident
One approved permit was for James Cecil, a Lakeville resident at 18275 Exonia Avenue, who sought permission for a detached accessory building larger than the standard allowed in the RS2 single family residential district. The permit allows the gross square footage to exceed 1,500 square feet, which is the typical by-right limit.
I'm a hobbyist who likes to work on old cars and things like that. And uh I have a few projects around my property and I think that the addition will do two things for me. will be allow me to uh get some of this some of these extra projects that are out in the public view back inside. And uh uh I'm at a stage in my life where I have to consider using a hoist and my current situation doesn't allow a hoist. So this addition would uh allow me to put a hoist in there so I can continue to work on this stuff in my old age.
City staff clarified the parameters of the request during the discussion.
So the conditional use permit in front of you tonight is to allow the gross square footage to be greater than 1500 square ft. Uh so up to the the uh RS2 district allows accessory buildings up to 1500 square feet combined uh by right. So anything over that they can the property owner could ask for a conditional use permit.
A commissioner noted the commonality of such requests, leading to unanimous approval for the permit.
Madam Chair, seeing no one really have any questions or anything, I'll just jump in and um state, you know, this is a fairly standard request for I'll say an oversized garage um that we encounter from time to time as the planning commission.
New Express Car Wash Planned for Cedar Avenue
Also receiving a unanimous 7-0 approval was a conditional use permit for Mr. Car Wash, proposing a new express car wash at the southeast corner of 179th and Cedar Avenue. The facility will be located on Lot 7 Block 1 within the new Marketplace at Cedar Plat development, which is zoned M2 mixed-use Cedar Corridor District. The applicant expressed enthusiasm for the project and its planned integration into Lakeville.
Um we are hoping to construct a new express car wash and um applying for the conditional use permit in the Cedar PL uh sorry the marketplace at the Cedar development um that is going in through Oppedin. Um I think you guys will see that we have spent some considerable time on this presentation and um what we have shown and we are excited about uh being in Lakeville.
Key to the car wash's approval was a revised landscaping plan, which addressed concerns about visual screening and light pollution for nearby residences. The updated plan focuses on additional screening on the west side of the basin, situated between the drive-thru area and Glacier Way, to mitigate potential headlight glare onto the street or adjacent townhomes.
the applicant as um mentioned, I think he mentioned it, but if not, they did submit a revised landscaping plan since the packet went out to you guys where they do show the additional screening here on the west side of that basin in between the drive-thru area. Um so that will help reduce any kind of headlights that would be shown onto Glacier or to the town homes across the street. So this landscape plan now is in compliance with our code.
Commissioners also inquired about the facility's design to manage vehicle queues, a common consideration for drive-thru oriented businesses, to prevent traffic from impacting public roadways.
My one question is modern is about stacking and how we have stacking for um fast food and convenience stuff. Is it the same type of purpose so that it doesn't go out into the main road and can you just walk us through that? How much space is there?
Both conditional use permits passed with unanimous 7-0 votes, underscoring the city's balanced approach to accommodating community needs and commercial growth within its planning framework.
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Votes (2)
Conditional Use Permit for James Cecil (Detached Accessory Building)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Kuza [0:09:59] · Seconded by Unknown [0:10:39]
James Cecil requested a CUP for an addition to his garage, aiming to expand space for his car hobby, store projects indoors, and install a hoist for ease of work. Staff highlighted the RS2 zoning, the permit's necessity due to exceeding 1500 sq ft, and compliance with setback requirements. The proposed structure would match existing materials and height, and would not be used for commercial purposes. Commissioners found the request standard and reasonable, noting the property's heavy tree cover mitigated visual impact on neighbors.
Conditional Use Permit for Mr. Car Wash (Commercial Car Wash)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Kuza [0:23:44] · Seconded by Unknown [0:24:28]
Mr. Car Wash sought approval for a new express car wash within the M2 Mixed-Use Cedar Corridor District. Staff's presentation covered the site's layout, which includes three entry points, a single wash lane, and dedicated vacuum areas designed to manage traffic flow effectively. A key highlight was the applicant's submission of a revised landscaping plan to ensure adequate screening from nearby residential areas. The building's design, including two 35-foot towers, was noted as being well within the district's height allowances. Commissioners focused on ensuring sufficient stacking space to prevent road congestion and confirming employee parking provisions, which were satisfactorily addressed.
Notable Quotes (6)
I'm a hobbyist who likes to work on old cars and things like that. And uh I have a few projects around my property and I think that the addition will do two things for me. will be allow me to uh get some of this some of these extra projects that are out in the public view back inside. And uh uh I'm at a stage in my life where I have to consider using a hoist and my current situation doesn't allow a hoist. So this addition would uh allow me to put a hoist in there so I can continue to work on this stuff in my old age.
So the conditional use permit in front of you tonight is to allow the gross square footage to be greater than 1500 square ft. Uh so up to the the uh RS2 district allows accessory buildings up to 1500 square feet combined uh by right. So anything over that they can the property owner could ask for a conditional use permit.
Madam Chair, seeing no one really have any questions or anything, I'll just jump in and um state, you know, this is a fairly standard request for I'll say an oversized garage um that we encounter from time to time as the planning commission.
Um we are hoping to construct a new express car wash and um applying for the conditional use permit in the Cedar PL uh sorry the marketplace at the Cedar development um that is going in through Oppedin. Um I think you guys will see that we have spent some considerable time on this presentation and um what we have shown and we are excited about uh being in Lakeville.
the applicant as um mentioned, I think he mentioned it, but if not, they did submit a revised landscaping plan since the packet went out to you guys where they do show the additional screening here on the west side of that basin in between the drive-thru area. Um so that will help reduce any kind of headlights that would be shown onto Glacier or to the town homes across the street. So this landscape plan now is in compliance with our code.
My one question is modern is about stacking and how we have stacking for um fast food and convenience stuff. Is it the same type of purpose so that it doesn't go out into the main road and can you just walk us through that? How much space is there?
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Permit type requested by James Cecil for an oversized detached accessory building.
Document supporting the Conditional Use Permit application for James Cecil.
Staff memo detailing recommendations and stipulations for James Cecil's Conditional Use Permit.
Permit type requested by Mr. Car Wash for a commercial car wash.
Document supporting the Conditional Use Permit application for Mr. Car Wash.
Staff memo detailing recommendations and stipulations for Mr. Car Wash's Conditional Use Permit.
Approved on September 2nd, 2025, and serving as the basis for Scenario 2 of the AUAR for Artemis Land Holdings.
Approved on September 2nd, 2025, related to the Artemis Land Holdings project in the Southwest Area.
Environmental impact study process for the 390-acre Southwest Area development by Artemis Land Holdings.
The initial document for the AUAR process, outlining the issues to be studied and potential data sources.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Conditional Use Permit for Oversized Detached Accessory Building
Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Car Wash
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