Forest Lake Planning Commission February 25th, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Approval of agenda
Open forum for public comment
Approval of February 11, 2026 meeting minutes
Public hearing for Hidden Creek South preliminary plat and PUD amendment
Review of residential density and lot size requirements (50-foot vs 65-foot lots)
Infrastructure and street design standards
Parkland dedication requirements and fee-in-lieu programs
Stormwater management and drainage coordination with Rice Creek Watershed District
Areas of Interest (5)
- Commissioners clash with developer over 50-foot lot density vs 65-foot code requirement.
- Concerns raised over winter road safety and parking capacity on 30-foot wide streets.
- Developer requests to table public hearing citing undisclosed last-minute issues.
- City commission questions whether 171-home development provides enough public benefit to justify PUD amendments.
- Fiscal sustainability concerns regarding residential growth outpacing commercial tax base.
Votes (2)
Approve the agenda
Moved by Unnamed · Seconded by Unnamed
Approve minutes from February 11, 2026
Moved by Unnamed · Seconded by Unnamed
Notable Quotes (3)
This is a plat preliminary platin PUD amendment submitted by the Headwaters Land Group. The site consists of approximately 56 and a half acres.
This is Minnesota, and especially in in the wintertime, that's going to be a problem. And these lots are not significantly large enough for the parking of commensurate with the style homes.
One of the issues in Forest Lake is that we have a significant amount of residential development without commensurate commercial industrial development to balance property taxes.
People (5)
GerardChairPresiding over the commission meeting.
Presiding over the commission meeting.
StephenCity StaffProviding technical overview of the Hidden Creek South application.
1 quote
Providing technical overview of the Hidden Creek South application.
“The applicant proposes 171 single family detached homes... within the comprehensive plan's low medium density range.”
Describing the project density.
John DobsRepresentative for Headwaters Land GroupDeveloper representative for Hidden Creek subdivision.
1 quote
Developer representative for Hidden Creek subdivision.
“I was going to ask to be tabled anyway... and just kind of push it so I can kind of work through a couple small issues.”
Requesting to delay the project review.
Commissioner GoodwinCommissionerRaised concerns regarding 30-foot road widths and winter maintenance.
Raised concerns regarding 30-foot road widths and winter maintenance.
Commissioner SteelerCommissionerQuestioned the lack of public benefit for the requested 50-foot lot exceptions.
Questioned the lack of public benefit for the requested 50-foot lot exceptions.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (4)
- Meeting start: 6:00 PM
- Previous Meeting: February 11, 2026
- Parks and Recreation Commission: February 18, 2026
- City Council Meeting (scheduled): March 9, 2026
Ordinances & Resolutions (1)
Requires 65-foot minimum lot width and 7,500 square foot minimum lot size.