Based on the context provided, here is the formatted transcript with speaker names identified: [1:07] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Good evening and welcome to the September 2nd city council meeting. If you'd join me for a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance [1:35] **All**: ...to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. [1:52] **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Roll call, please. Michelle Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Here. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Luke Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Here. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: John Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Here. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Dan Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Here. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Joshua Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Here. [2:07] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Uh, moving on to item number three, citizens comments. There's an opportunity for residents or business leaders to address the council for up to three minutes for an issue that's already not on the agenda. Okay. Very good. Moving on to item number four, additional agenda information. Mr. Miller? **City Administrator Justin Miller**: Nothing tonight, Mayor. [2:26] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. And then we will get on to our introduction of our new police officers and turn over our police chief, Brad Paulson. [2:30] **Police Chief Brad Paulson**: Good evening. Good evening, mayor and members of the council. Uh, as our officers uh, begin to make their way on up here to my right with their designated badge pinners, uh, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to get our, uh, newer hires in front of the council. Uh, you know, they're going to get a badge pinned on them tonight by a by a family member or a close person in their lives. Uh, that badge holds some significance and and we feel like a public uh pinning of that shows the uh the honor that goes with that but also the responsibility and they'll also be administered an oath of office tonight. Uh, and we feel that's important as well in front of our community. Uh, policing a community does not happen without a partnership and I think a piece of that partnership is the transparency and showing our community who these officers are. So, all six of these folks are, uh, somewhere in their journey between finishing field training, some just a few days ago, uh, up into into their first year of employment. So, I'm just going to call them up one by one, read a short bio, so you get a little introduction of them, and have their family member or friend pin a badge on while I do that. So, we'll start with Officer Adam Peterson, badge 48133. Adam started with us back in October of last year. Adam grew up in a rural farming community south of Mankato and attended Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial High School. He went on to St. Mary's University in Winona where he obtained a bachelor's degree in police science. Before coming to Lakeville, Officer Peterson worked as a deputy with the Carver County Sheriff's Office for 10 years. There he was a field training officer, a crime scene unit member, peer support team member, and participated in several other supplemental programs. Officer Peterson, his wife and two boys live locally in Dakota County and he stays busy with his two boys playing hockey and baseball. And in their free time, Officer Peterson and his family enjoy the outdoors, sports, and lake life up north. Congratulations to Officer Adam Peterson. Next up is Officer Brandon McCarthy, badge 48134, who started with us last November. Officer McCarthy grew up in Savage and attended Burnsville High School. He went on to Inver Hills Community College and completed his law enforcement skills training at Hennepin County Technical College. Before coming to Lakeville PD, Officer McCarthy worked for seven years in security at the Mall of America and three years as a police officer with the Faribault Police Department, where he was a field training officer and a bike patrol officer. Outside of work, Officer McCarthy enjoys spending time with his wife and 10-year-old daughter fishing and traveling. He also wanted to be sure to mention Hooper and Izzy, their one and three-year-old boxers. Congrats to Officer Brandon McCarthy. Next up is Officer Josh Wickner, badge 48135. Josh also started with us back in November of last year. Officer Wickner grew up in South Minneapolis and graduated from Minneapolis South High School. From there, he attended Normandale Community College and then Metropolitan State University, earning his bachelor's degree in law enforcement. Prior to coming to Lakeville PD, Officer Wickner spent time as a security training supervisor with the Mall of America as well as nearly 12 years at Mystic Lake Casino where he hired and trained security and surveillance personnel. He has also been a firefighter and currently is firefighter EMT with the city of Elco New Market. He's done that for over 11 years and currently serves as a training lieutenant there. Outside of work, when he finds time, uh, Officer Wickner enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, and exploring our nation's national parks. Congratulations to Officer Wickner. Next up is Officer Melissa Roupert, badge 48136. Melissa started with Lakeville PD in January of this year. She grew up in Iowa and graduated from Emmetsburg High School. From there, she moved on to the University of Wisconsin Platteville where she graduated with a bachelor of science in criminal justice with an emphasis in forensics and a minor in psychology. Before joining Lakeville PD, Officer Roupert spent three years as a correctional officer for the Washington County Sheriff's Office. She's also a member of the US Air Force Reserve. And in her free time, Officer Roupert enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, going on hikes and walks with her dog, and working on house projects. Congratulations to Officer Roupert. Officer Justin Angel, badge 48138, began with us back in April of this year. He's our Lakeville connection tonight. Grew up in Lakeville and graduated from the Lakeville High School right before uh it split into North and South. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Metropolitan State University. Prior to coming on board as a police officer here, Officer Angel spent about two and a half years as a community service officer with Lakeville PD and for the past 10 years was a security officer and security supervisor at Mystic Lake Casino. When he's not working, Officer Angel enjoys fishing, shooting, sports, and spending time with his friends and family. Congratulations to Officer Justin Angel. And finally, Officer Alexander Conkl, badge 48139. He also started with us back in April. Officer Conkl grew up in St. Paul and attended Como Park Senior High School. He went on to Minnesota State Mankato where he earned his bachelor's degree in law enforcement. Before joining Lakeville PD earlier this year, Officer Conkl spent about four years working in security at Mystic Lake Casino. You've probably noticed a trend here by now. Outside of his time spent at work, Officer Conkl enjoys hiking, playing all sorts of games, including card, board, and video games, and spending time with friends and family. Congratulations and welcome to Officer Alexander Conkl. And now, as the mayor makes his way down to uh read your oath, I'll just have you all the officers step forward and face the crowd to get your oath administered. [9:04] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Fantastic. You want to raise your right hand? I [state your name] do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States... **Officers**: [Repeat oath] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: ...and the state of Minnesota... **Officers**: [Repeat oath] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: ...and faithfully discharge the duties of police officers... **Officers**: [Repeat oath] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: ...of the city of Lakeville... **Officers**: [Repeat oath] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: ...in the county of Dakota and state of Minnesota... **Officers**: [Repeat oath] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: ...to the best of my judgement and ability. **Officers**: [Repeat oath] [9:41] [Applause] [10:02] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Is it okay to say something? Yeah. So, as you're getting seated, uh, just a couple comments quick. Uh, first off, Chief, I have an image of you hanging out at Mystic Lake Casino, the trench coat going on, going, "Come here. Come here." Um, no, in all seriousness, uh, congratulations all of you. Uh, you've worked very hard to get to this point right now and you're going to continue to work hard uh for a community that needs you and supports you. I was really impressed uh with all of your backgrounds. Just listening to the experience and the heart that you have uh for the security of our community and the safety of our community and the profession that you're in attracts the best and I believe Lakeville attracts the best of the best and I think we heard that tonight. So, congratulations. You're embarking on uh just a wonderful career that will be very challenging and very rewarding. Uh welcome to Lakeville. [11:11] **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: I just wanted to add that uh you know the group that you're joining as I'm looking around the room here um it's something special. I never thought I would get to know officers as well as I know these folks in the room here and uh I just really look forward to getting to know you as well because this is a dedicated crew. I trust them with my life and I know this community really appreciates the work that that they're doing and what you will be doing as part of this department. So, thank you in advance. Your service is uh greatly appreciated. [11:44] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Great. I think my colleagues said it very well. We'll take a brief pause. If your families don't want to stay for the rest of the council meeting, you're welcome to exit and do photos and everything out in the lobby. So, thank you all for being here. And thank you to the families for all the support you have given your officers and will over the next several years. So, thank you. [12:35] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: All right, we'll move on and give our parks and rec director a little bit extra time to walk up today for our parks and rec quarterly report. [12:52] **Parks & Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin**: Evening. Uh, good evening, uh, mayor and uh, city council. Uh, I am here to give our quarterly report uh for June and August. Uh, we'll be starting as we typically do with administration, covering some of the tasks that we've been taking care of uh through the office. Um, starting out with um some of the initiatives that we were working on and we'll be starting by talking a little bit about the Grand Prairie Park construction project. Uh, so August 12th we were able to open the pickleball courts at Grand Prairie Park. Um, we've actually been able to get the lighting working on those. It's been a busy facility for us already at that end of the park. Uh, recently uh we've gotten close to completing the rest of the landscaping and seating on the site. We anticipate that'll be done here either later this week or beginning of next. The athletic decks are now starting to grow in. You're starting to actually see turf coming in at the facility. Uh, the fields, the trails, and the parking lot lights are all scheduled here to be working by uh mid-September. And the next big accomplishment is really going to be the opening of the field support building, uh which is the set of restrooms close to the pickleball courts. Uh, so we're going to be excited when that uh part of the park is open. Uh, East Community Park uh which is the last project we've got on the park bond referendum uh which is scheduled to be constructed in 2026 is moving along. That has moved through a community survey. Uh, we received over 200 responses for that. Um, the final design that uh has been landed on is uh called Heritage Landing and that concept is still being worked on and developed. Uh, it'll actually be coming to a work session here in the in the future. Uh, but some of those concepts that are included in that design um build off of the history of the park itself. So working off of um kind of farm themed play ideas, nature play, uh four-season restrooms which is tied to the project that we're doing with Dakota County and the North Creek Greenway. We're looking at some community gardens, kayak launch. Um, but really working on the connection between uh the original part of the park and the new part of the park to make it feel like one cohesive uh facility. But we're excited to bring that to you in the the master plan here in the future. Uh, the Lake Marion Greenway construction project uh or planning for that construction project is also moving along. That is a 2026 project. Um, we are continuing to work on the development of the plans for that park. We will be holding the second open house here later this fall. Uh, and phase one of that project, which again will be constructed here in 2026, is going to be running from downtown Lakeville into Ritter Farm Park. When that project is complete, it will connect Savage, Farmington, Murphy-Hanrehan—ultimately looking at over a 20-mile trail segment. Spy Glass Park, which is the neighborhood park that we are building uh this year, that's phase two, that is also moving along in construction. Um, currently, the bocce ball courts are taking shape. Uh, we'll be adding a pre-K playground element. Uh, there's a multi-purpose athletic deck that'll be going in at that park that's been graded and will be seeded here in the next few weeks. And then that park will also include a half-court basketball court uh with pickleball striping. That park should be complete here uh later this fall. And the park system master plan um is moving along. Um, that uh is a year-long planning process for us. Um, recently we've completed um the identification for our um project management team which includes representatives from parks and recreation planning and then also the parks, rec, and natural resource committee uh will have representatives on that as well. This fall we'll be moving into a community-wide survey uh and that'll be the kickoff to uh that project. And park maintenance has been quite busy here this summer uh as some of their seasonal duties um are identified. We talk about those annually. Uh, but those include playground inspections, mowing operations and field preparation, fertilization, uh herbicide treatments and sanitation also quite a bit more. That all uh along with our regular full-time staff um is made possible by our seasonal staff. And this year we wanted to make sure to give them some additional recognition. They work so hard for us over the summer. Many of them have already left now for school, but um it's an important part to be able to make us be able to do what we are. Uh, the Kenwood uh disc golf course improvements were completed earlier this summer. That was in preparation for the national disc golf tournament. Uh, and staff completed a variety of improvements uh with the Kenwood disc golf course that included uh new signage, uh new tee pads, and then um course mowing and grooming as well. We've talked recently about uh the new leash law here in Lakeville. Uh, parks maintenance staff um was able to implement some of those um improvements in the system. So switching over uh four of our hockey rinks uh which have turf to um off-leash dog areas as well as two designated areas within parks. We're already seeing that people are starting to utilize those and some of those improvements include dog waste bags, new trash receptacles and signage. Uh, special events have also been busy uh this summer. Um, we've got those annual events that really take a toll on our parks maintenance staff. Uh, but obviously preparations for the Fourth of July, uh the Pan-O-Prog events including beer, brats, and bingo, uh the Pan-O-Prog race, uh the pop fishing tournament, and of course, Taste of Lakeville as well. And recreation has been busy this summer as well. Uh, enrollment for our summer youth sports has um really done well, uh sitting at over 1,500 total enrollees. Some of those camps uh with the highest participants include basketball and t-ball. Uh, it includes golf, uh soccer, tennis. Uh, but we're really um happy with how those programs ran this year. Uh, we've talked in the past about the expansion of our environmental programs over at Ritter Farm Park in the E-D-O Environmental Learning Center. Over the past three months, we've had over 200 enrollments um for those programs. Um, some of the most popular ones continue to be Eco Elsa, uh the Minnesota Wildlife, and then the Raptors presentation. And for summer adult leagues, uh those are also doing well. Pickleball tends to, uh obviously take the lead on that. So, uh 245 teams that participated this year. Sand volleyball, 44 teams. Um, and then, uh the golf clinic, 19 participants. And uh this year we did do some additional and some new um educational programs. Some of these are in conjunction with ISD 194 that includes the drone race and rocket launch challenge. Um, Camp Kermit is one of our historic programs that did quite well. Uh, and then uh solar car and robotic machines that's new but was again in conjunction with the school district. And for Pan-O-Prog, uh recreation also held some very popular events uh including the pickleball tournament with 86 teams, uh the pop run with 463 runners and then the youth fishing contest with 32. And for upcoming events, there's obviously quite a few here as we go into fall. As a reminder, uh this year we combined our summer and our fall brochure. So those programs are all available um and are available for viewing on our website as well. This weekend though is the Who Done It hike. Um, the tour of Lakeville is coming up September 20th. Um, and then uh winter/spring online registrations kick off for us here on October 9th. Moving on to the Arts Center. Um, so by the numbers, uh the Arts Center uh was quite busy over the last three months. We saw a 23 almost 24% increase in their revenue, 11% increase in their participation. Uh, 80% of their classes, those would be more adult classes, were filled to capacity. And our art camps, which are designed more for youth, 92% capacity. One of those that I'm going to call out is the weekly pottery camps. Out of 200 available spots, we filled 199 of those. Uh, so that's again one of those programs going into next year we'll have to look at ways that we can accommodate more participants. For performing arts, um, some notable programs. Uh, the first one that I'm going to call out was Calendar Girls. That's uh done by our Lakeville Expressions Community Theater. Set an all-time sales record for their summer show. The other four programs were all done with Story Books. So those are some of our youth theater camps. And uh for Pan-O-Prog, um also quite busy. Uh, picnic and puppets 137 participants. The art sale, uh they had over $7,000 in sales. That was up by about 35% over last year. And Live at the Lake series, we wrapped that up last week. Um, that went incredibly fast, but that was 14 dates. Uh, several of those were cancelled this year due to weather. Um, but this year we hosted over 8,000 estimated concert goers. And for upcoming events, most notably, I've got to share, uh Lakeville Art Festival is coming up September 20th and 21st. Make sure to check that out. That's one of the marquee events for the art center. Otherwise, kicking off the performing arts series is uh the Lake Wagon Brass Band October 3rd. Uh, A Hunting Shack Christmas, which is also by Expressions. That's coming up here in November. And Mini Nutcracker, that is one of the productions we've done for years and has a history of selling out very quickly. And on to the Heritage Center. Uh, Heritage Center—and we've talked about this in the past as well—uh, the strategic plan that we did with recreation and Heritage Center. Recently, the Heritage Center uh completed a series of facility tours. Um, so over a two-day period, five staff and two senior member representatives visited six facilities looking at uh things like membership fees, number of members, hours of operation, uh how their fitness center operates, uh newsletter frequency, those types of things. Um, looking at things that work well for other facilities, looking at things that we may want to shift or adjust. Uh, but I think overall it was a very successful process for us. And as far as visits go, uh here in uh June and or from June to August, we had over uh 2,000 unique visitors per month at the Heritage Center. Some of the popular programs continue to be uh the card and board games, um bingo, um the book club, crafts, uh and obviously fitness center use. And for the summer groups, um, this year, uh numbers again were phenomenal. Um, biking club, uh 74 participants; golf 113; uh fitness, uh over a 100; pickle ball again 237. Um, and then men's golf 80. So, uh some great numbers here for the Heritage Center. They also do a series of special events over the summer and trips. Uh, in June, their luncheon had 43 participants, um spring tea almost 80. Um pizza in the park which was at the John Hennon Pavilion that was um at 80. Uh, and then they had two trips; those are done jointly with other facilities as well. Uh, so we have limited spots on those uh but include the wind farm turbines and llamas as well as Disney's Beauty and the Beast downtown. And for upcoming events, uh they've got um the watercolor workshop coming up, Lakeville luncheon October 14th, and then uh the fall migration tour on November 10th. And with that, I'll stand for any questions. [24:37] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Council questions, comments? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Incredible. **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Yeah, great numbers. Did we see an increase or was it kind of flat with rentals at Antlers on the on the buildings? **Parks & Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin**: Increase. Um, I don't actually have the final numbers on the increase. Uh, shelter rentals were up and rentals on John Hennon Pavilion were up. We'll have the percentage here I would assume by the next uh quarterly report. Keep in mind this summer was the—well it's only been open two years. This summer we shifted to doing two reservations per day for the pavilion. Last year we only allowed one. **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Can uh you remind us how the concession stand at uh Antlers works for the rest of this season? How long they may be open for? **Parks & Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin**: Yep. So, now that we've gone past Labor Day, um their hours do shift. So, they're not open every day at this point in the season. Um, so, they're open uh Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday um because we've gone back into the school season and they're open through September 15th. **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Got it. Thank you. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Very good. Thank you very much. [25:36] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: All right. Moving on to item six, the consent agenda. These are typically more routine uh items for the council. Um, just council, anything you wanted to or sorry, Mr. Miller, anything you want to highlight? [25:53] **City Administrator Justin Miller**: Thank you, mayor. Two items tonight. 6J is a resolution accepting donations to the parks and recreation department, which Mr. Masiarchin just spoke about. In total, we're accepting $18,000 in either um cash donations or in-kind donations, and we're thankful for all of those. And then item 6K is an ordinance amendment to title 7, chapter 8 of our city code. And this is relating to the operations of electric assisted bicycles or e-bikes on trails and sidewalks and paved paths within the city. This is something that the council discussed at a recent work session and this ordinance reflects that discussion. [26:32] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay, very good. Council, anything you'd like to pull for further discussion? If not, I'll take a motion to approve. **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: I move to approve the consent agenda. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Is there a second? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Second. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Uh, roll call, please. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Aye. [27:00] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Very good. Uh, we'll now move on to item 7A, approval of preliminary 2026 property tax levy budget. And we'll turn it over to Finance Director Miss Stahl for a presentation. Good evening. [27:05] **Finance Director Julie Stahl**: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and members of the council. First off, I want to thank you and the members of the staff for all their hard work. The budget process starts in May roughly and goes all the way up through the fall and into the winter even. Um, tonight's action, we are asking for the approval of a levy of 52.3 million. And the tax base growth for the city is absorbing most of the levy increase. So, um the impact to the median value home, which now is $468,000 home in Lakeville, um is roughly $81 a year increase. Slightly different number than what you saw at the work session last week. The fair market, the market value exclusion calculation changes that happened last year needed to be factored in again. And so, um, just a slight change from what you saw last week at the work session. Um, we've, uh, approved three new positions with the budget. And, um, there's a lot of information in your packet that we've gone over last week at the work session. So, I won't touch on everything with that. Um, but just letting you know tonight's action will drive the information that is in the truth and taxation um property tax valuations that go out in November from the county. And then what will happen is we will have the truth and taxation meeting on December 1st at 6 p.m. That's where we get public input and council will um adopt the final levy. Uh, we can reduce the levy from what is adopted tonight, but we cannot increase it or it can be kept the same. So, um with that, I'll just I'll leave for any questions that council had with what was in the packet. [28:57] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Council, any questions or comments? Council member Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: I don't have any additional questions, but I I did want to highlight the uh what I believe is significant prudence with this budget. Um, there were several other positions I think that staff were hoping to receive this this year, but um I think we've come to a a good compromise here with the positions that you're you're requesting. Um, so gratitude to all the departments that uh worked on this budget and uh and brought it to a number that I I think uh you know 7% is is much lower than last year's uh levy and I think we we do need that relief there. Um, we continue to be the lowest tax city among our Dakota County peers. Um, and Dakota has historically been the lowest tax county uh in the state. So, I think we're in a very positive position. So, just wanted to highlight some of those points and and give my thanks to you and the staff for for this year's proposal. [30:11] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Any other comments? I'd have to agree. I mean, I think um as we talked about in the work session, you know, I felt good about where we're coming in and I think with uh sharper pencils, we might be able to see some more savings by the end of the year when we get into budgeting. But with that, I will take a motion to approve the resolution. Council member Bermel? [30:26] **Councilmember John Bermel**: I move to approve the resolution establishing the preliminary 2026 property tax levy and preliminary 2026 budget and setting the budget public hearing to be held on Monday, December 1st, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Is there a second? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Second. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Any further discussion? Okay. Roll call, please. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Aye. [31:11] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Very good. Thank you for all the work from your team, Miss Stahl, and all the department heads for putting together that budget. Uh, moving on to item 7B. Excuse me. A public hearing uh ordinance annexing land owned by Compass Rail Lakeville LLC and the Metropolitan Airports Commission located in Eureka Township. And I don't believe somebody from Compass Rail or Miss Goodroad, are you going to present or Dan? Okay, good. We do have somebody from Compass. Good evening. Welcome. Good to see you again. [31:43] **Dan Schmiddale (Compass Rail)**: Yes, I'm I'm Dan Schmiddale, uh, vice president of Compass Rail, and I'm here to request uh, the council, the mayor, and staff uh, consider annexation of our property um that's highlighted in the package on on uh, Highview Avenue. Uh, the purpose of the annexation will be to uh, develop a railcar storage facility in conjunction with uh, Progressive Railroad and the city of Lakeville. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Very good. It's a long time coming. **Dan Schmiddale (Compass Rail)**: Yeah. Thank you. [32:23] **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: Good evening, mayor, members of the council. Um, Compass Rail LLC um and the Metropolitan Airports Commission have requested or submitted a petition requesting annexation. The total annexation area is just 33.31 acres. Um, it's at the very um so it touches our southern boundary. It's the area highlighted in red and it's immediately west of Highview Avenue and west of kind of where the airport is. So if you can visualize that area, we asked the MAC to be included in this. That was we initiated that um so that the city would be squared off because Compass Rail is taking that southern kind of triangle that touches the city and so we just wanted to have an even square and so the MAC was fine with that. Um, the Compass Rail facility will develop um into—or the Compass part of the property will develop into a rail storage yard while the MAC property will remain undeveloped. Um, there will be no changes to that property. Again, Minnesota statutes gives um the city the um or property owners um the opportunity to petition the city as long as it's 120 acres or less and that it's contiguous to the city. Again, um this is a first step. We'll have to follow this up with a land use and a rezoning for the property and then they'll go through the different approvals for the development of that rail car storage yard and this does require a public hearing. [33:51] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay, very good. So, this is a public hearing. I will now order the public hearing open if there's anybody that had a comment about this annexation. Yes, if you'd come up and state your name and your address. Yep. [34:06] **Linda Ripley**: My name is Linda Ripley and I live in Eureka Township on uh 235th Street and Dodd. And my question is, are there parameters in place? Maybe it's too early because I know they had to get this all okayed first. Are there parameters in place for lighting in regards to the light uh filtering effect? You know how the businesses on County 70 with FedEx and Schneidermans and they all have the lights that are aimed down purposefully so it didn't affect... **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Right. Well, I—if you want to if you have any other questions and then I'll have our staff answer the question for you. **Linda Ripley**: That's what I... just the one question. Okay. Thank you. [34:57] **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: Thank you, mayor and council. Yes. Um, all lighting in the city for any commercial or industrial property does have to be downcast style. Um, so as we work on the development proposal, that is part of our ordinance and something that will be required on this site. [35:10] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Any further public comment? Okay. Seeing none, I will take a motion to close the public hearing. **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: I move to close the public hearing. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Is there a second? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Second. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Roll call please. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Aye. [35:48] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Um, with that, any further discussion on this request from council? If not, I will take a motion to approve the request. I'll make a motion uh to adopt an ordinance annexing the Compass Rail Lakeville LLC and MAC property located in section 5 of Eureka Township pursuant to Minnesota statutes 414.033 subdivision 2 uh section 3. **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Okay. Is there a second? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Second. [36:06] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Very good. Um, what I'll just say, and you know, I'm—this has been a project of figuring out what to do with the rail cars on County Road 50 for a very, very long time. And thanks to, you know, the work from our state legislators to secure state funding and from our member of Congress to help with some engineering funding and the partnership with Progressive and the city and Compass, we're in like the next little baby step to make this all happen. So, thank you for your partnership from Compass and look forward to working together on this. And with that, roll call please. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Aye. [36:41] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Very good. That—that feels good. That was—that's a one going back to to mayors before me that we've been working on that. So, uh, moving on to item C, tradition development comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments. And I don't know if Mr. Stuts is kicking off? Okay. Yep. Welcome. [37:28] **Todd Stuts (Tradition Development Corp)**: Mayor, members of the council. Um, I'm Todd Stuts. I'm with Tradition Development Corp. Um, also here this evening with me is Jake Anbec, president of Tradition Development Corp. um as well as Patrick Rossi, project manager with Tradition Development Corp. Um, we're handing out a package of information, uh a PowerPoint that we shared with the Planning and Zoning Commission back on August 7th. Um, we were very grateful for their support of our applications at that time. Um and would like to review that with you this evening. I think most of you are familiar with Tradition Development Corp. Um, two notable developments I'd like to mention this evening would be Spirit of Brandtjen Farms in Lakeville and Huntersbrook in the city of Victoria. Spirit of Brandtjen Farms in Lakeville specifically is a development that's very similar in terms of size. Um, the property that we're looking at this evening that's part of the overall development is 390 acres. Spirit Brandtjen Farms is actually 512 acres. Uh, the density at Spirit Brandtjen Farms is roughly 1,400 housing units. On what we're discussing this evening is roughly 1,200 housing units as sort of a maximum that would be developed on the property. One of the things that's unique about Spirit Brandtjen Farms and you guys obviously are very familiar with it um is that staff, the council and the planning commission at that time back in 2005 put a lot of time and effort in developing a unique set of development standards and architectural guidelines which were implemented over the last 20 years in that development. I mean, I think you can see the results of that and the fact that it's unique and it's a special place. Um it was considered to be the top development for a number of years in the Twin Cities. Um and we think that it's also still representative of being one of the best examples of a traditional neighborhood um within the Twin Cities. One of the other features obviously that's unique um is that it has a significant uh neighborhood amenity as far as associations but also a lot of public spaces. There's a lot of connectivity that exists with trails and sidewalks throughout that neighborhood. Um and it's something that as we go forward hopefully with the proposed development on this property, we like to take some of those guidelines and some of the standards that were developed as far as Brandtjen Farms and implement those with this proposed development. Here's some pictures. All you guys are familiar with Brandtjen Farms, I'm sure. Um, uh, in Huntersbrook and Victoria just to share those with you if you're not familiar. Um, it's interesting, you know, this is the first time we've had an opportunity to appear before you. Um but if we look back, we really began a dialogue um with the Leonards' property uh owners um and their family uh back in 2021 when they reached out to us and inquired regarding our interest um in acquiring their property. Um and that 2021 conversation um basically ended up with us purchasing roughly 200 acres uh that's made up within this development of the 390 acres—basically 200 acres of the property which we closed uh back in March of this year. Um in addition to that um we began a conversation um in the beginning of 2025 with staff and that conversation was with regards to how we would look at this property. At that time, we had the Leonard's property um under control um and we're planning on closing on that property, which we did. But how would the city like us to see us going forward with that from a staff perspective? Our commitment to the staff at that point is that we would look at this very comprehensively and we would look at not only the 200 acres that make up the Leonards' property, but the surrounding properties. And in fact this evening I assume that there's a number uh of individuals who are property owners in this area um which were part of our joint application. If you look at our applications, a number of those are joint applications which included you know property owners that made up basically 390 total acres of which 200 was originally the Leonards' property. Additional 10 acres we've acquired since that time when we originally closed in March. Um and then of the total there's a total of 258.67 um net residential acres. And why is that important? Um as we go forward with the comp plan amendment and the Met Council's review of that plan is part of their 2050 comp plan requirements um is they'd like to see roughly three and a half units per acre. So when we look at the development, we look at net residential acres. In case of net residential acres, that excludes out wetlands and wetland buffers. And so we have roughly 259.67 uh residential acres which has to be developed according to the Metropolitan Council um at 3 and a half units per acre net. In addition to that there's additional school property and commercial acres that make up the 390.36 acres, roughly 57.75 acres. Um as I mentioned, uh this is part of a joint application with a number of property owners. There are 12 total property owners including ourselves and that makes up 21 separate individual properties. Again, very comprehensive in nature. That was our commitment to staff, you know, back six months ago that that's how we would look at it. Um and again, Tradition Development Corp owns approximately 210 acres of that total amount of property. Uh, what you have before you this evening um which was again reviewed by the planning commission and subsequently approved are really two main applications regarding the comp plan and again we're looking at the 2040 comp plan um and we're looking at amending the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) staging plan. In addition to that, amending the land use plan with proposed uh and concurrent land use designations as illustrated by the attached drawing which you have in your packet. Um, what's interesting about that is that some of the joint applications that we have currently um their existing land use is correct and is consistent with what we're proposing but then all the applications that you have in front of you um require us to amend the current Metrop urban services staging plan. Um, one item to keep in mind um is that the amendments that we're doing are basically two in nature as far as the Metropolitan Urban Service Area is concerned. One is the expansion area B. Expansion area B basically says um that that is to have uh urban services brought to it uh in the years 2029 to 2038 and the other being the urban reserve is not before 2038 and we're looking at amending to those to be current. Presently with the expansion area B um conceivably you could develop the expansion area B which is 134 acres uh beginning in 2029. So just to keep in mind there's really two different current staging designations within that area. And again on the land use side um some of the existing current land uses are consistent with what our concept is and some are being proposed and need to be changed. As part of that, all cities are required to bring their zoning map to be consistent with their comprehensive land use plan. And that also is part of the application provided we go forward and receive approval of the comprehensive plan land use changes that we're recommending. Um, this is the overall plan. Um again, 390 acres. Um it would have been very easy for us again to maybe just focus on the Leonards' property and bring in an application and changes for 200 acres. Again, our commitment to the city staff was we look at the whole property versus just the Leonards' property. The Leonards' property is roughly the property that would be on the western portion of the site. Um there's roughly 160 acres and then sort of the dog leg that goes up to the north, there's another 40 acres that's added to that. Um as part of this plan, um we basically go all the way up to 210th and then to the south, um roughly just, you know, a little ways south of 215th, not quite to 225th, but south of that. Uh, and then, of course, the easterly boundary being I-35. Um, the changes that we're showing, if you look at the map, it'll say current land use. Again, as I mentioned earlier, some of the land use changes that we're requesting—it's already guided correctly. So, we're not requesting for those that say current land use, only those where it doesn't say current land use. One of the conversations that occurred at um the planning commission um surrounded wetlands. Um, this drawing shows the wetlands based upon the national wetland inventory. And so as we go forward um we're in the process of doing an actual field wetland delineation and what we're finding is there's significantly more wetlands than this drawing shows um which I think is important for you to recognize that and that's one of the things that maybe got missed as part of the last meeting. So, um if you go out and actually walk on the Leonards' property today, you'll see that there's a number of flags which are delineating where those existing wetlands—which again are outside of what's currently being shown by this plan—will be needed to be incorporated into our proposed plans. Again, you know, and I would like to go through the process with you and some of the milestones that we're looking at. Um, again the comprehensive plan and zoning amendments which the staff will go through a little more detail um are two in nature: again the Metropolitan Urban Service Area staging plan and then also the land use amendments that we're requesting as well as then a zoning map amendment. Both of those approvals would be contingent upon completion of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). And I'll get into that in a few seconds. But um because of the scope of the project, the number of acres and more importantly the number of homes that would be proposed on this site, we would be required to complete an AUAR or an EIS. But most cities at this point have opted to choose the AUAR as an option to an EIS. I'll get into that in a few seconds. Um, we would hope if we receive a positive response this evening is that the city then would submit those approved 2040 comp plan amendments, again the two in nature to the Met Council for approval in accordance with the Met Council's comprehensive plan amendment checklist and guidance. Um and again that would be subject to um then completion of an AUAR process. I'll get into that in one second. It is expected the total scope of the AUAR would include all those that are part of our joint application for the land use changes but then also the Metropolitan service area changes which is the 390.36 acres at this point. Um, as we look at that and the proposed guidings that we're asking for or the land use designations would be for approximately 1,200 housing units—1,200 housing units, which would be approximately 600 detached units, single family, and 600 detached [attached], which would be more likely townhomes or apartments. Um, those would all that total of those two would exceed the current thresholds that the Environmental Quality Board in Minnesota has established as a mandatory EIS. As an example for EIS/AUAR requirement um anything greater than 400 detached units or anything greater than 600 attached units combination thereof um requires you to do a mandatory Alternative Urban Areawide Review or an environmental impact statement. In this case we would choose and recommend to staff who I assume would recommend to the council that we would complete an AUAR process. Further discussion would be required in terms of the proposed development scenarios. As part of the AUAR we would look at basically two different scenarios um for the property in terms of development and I'll get into that in just a couple seconds. Um and the total AUAR process which I think is important to note is somewhere between 6 to 9 months in length. So even though we're here first time before you um that AUAR process actually is going to take six to nine months and again the recommendation at this point is that any action you would take on the comp plan amendments that that would be subject uh to completion of the AUAR process um and submission that as well as the comp plan amendments to the Met Council. Not going to spend a lot of time on this. So I'm just going to go as a brief overview of this. Um, we can spend a lot of time on this at some point. As I mentioned, one of the things that's important is the first step is to develop an AUAR scoping document which would include study scenarios. We would include one based upon the current 2040 uh land use guiding which is roughly 300 units if you look at all the property. Uh, in addition to that, there would be a second scenario and it would be based upon the proposed amendment to the comp plan land use plan which is definitely a higher density which is roughly again in that 1,200-unit range. So we would probably more than likely, working with staff, recommend to the council that they basically develop a scoping document and study scenarios that would be in that 300 to 1,200 unit range as part of an AUAR. Um, what is developed as part of that um is basically a mitigation plan that says for all these things that are environmental things that we're looking at um we need here are the things that need to be done to mitigate it. And we look at based upon the current density which is sort of that—we'll call it the no build scenario which is roughly the 300 units—and then we look at the other end roughly 1,200 units and again what what needs to be done as part of the development process to mitigate uh the impacts on the environment. Okay. So there's initial approval again of the AUAR scoping document and the study scenarios. Um, once that's approved um then it's distributed um to interested parties um by uh again the Environmental Quality Board. They have a specific distribution list that they would send that to um and once that's approved um then there would be a final order and a record decision after the 30-day public comment period. Uh, then of the preparation of the actual AUAR study and mitigation plan. Again, this is a six to nine-month process um which would look at the land uses that are being proposed on the site both as they currently exist under the current 2040 comp plan and also as proposed as part of the comp plan amendments that we're suggesting this evening. There would be study with regards to soils and topography, wetlands which is an important element, water resources, wastewater obviously important, wildlife and transportation. One of the things people usually focus on is the transportation element of this. Um, which is important. If you're saying you're looking at 300 homes on the site versus 1,200 homes, obviously that impacts traffic differently. Okay. Um, and so that's one of the things that's very important element of this. So basically once we would complete that AUAR study and mitigation plan um the mitigation plan for example in transportation would be is that there needs to be a a new interchange built on 210th for example and what does that interchange look like and what would the traffic flows be? What has to as far as legality need to be extended and developed all the way to the south? Those types of conversations would happen as part of the transportation study um and then after that basically is completed, um the council would review it and they would have an official submission of the draft AUAR for a 30-day public comment period again. Um, and then the city ultimately hopefully is in a position where they would issue a notice of accuracy for the final AUAR and mitigation plan. So they would say that we find this to be adequate. That's published in again the Environmental Quality Board monitor. Um, and so that's—that basically completes that process. Once that process is completed um then we actually would get into what we'll call more project-specific approvals. Um, one being the extension of the trunk sanitary sewer project. Um, which is I know something that staff has been talking about—the beginning of conversations later this fall on. Um, and that basically would extend the trunk sanitary sewer along a 215th Street alignment um from just east of I-35, under I-35, to the proposed development roughly again along the 215th Street alignment. Um, and then as part of that also we would start with the PUD process. So the PUD sketch plan, staff review, PUD sketch plan neighborhood meeting would follow that. Um, I would say that there's a number of opportunities both as part of the AUAR process as well as the PUD process um for community and neighborhood engagement and that's definitely something that we're going to be involved in and so that people have an understanding of what we're doing um and have an opportunity to have input into that process. Um, and then the planning commission and city council PUD sketch plan review. Um, keep in mind um roughly we're at 390 acres as part of the AUAR. Um, we're not anticipating that everyone that's part of the AUAR will want to join in as far as the PUD application. They may—their timing may be that they want to develop or sell their property at a later date. And so right now we're looking at 290 sort of being the minimum number of acres which would include the 200 acres uh that's represented by um the Leonards' property, roughly 40 acres um that's owned by um Mr. Jay Blanchard on the northern portion of the site, another 10 acres which we've acquired, and then another 40 acres which is—we'll call it the Glesmann property—which is out just to the south of 215th along I-35. So those would be the three pieces making up what we would say is sort of the minimum that we would submit as far as a PUD and that definitely will evolve um as people make decisions in terms of their desire to continue to live on the property. One thing I will say—the benefit to the property owners that are part of the overall scope for the AUAR and as well as the comp plan amendments that we're requesting um is at some point if they choose to sell to us or to others, that AUAR environmental process has been completed for them. So they would be able to come in—again we looked at the whole site as a whole—and so they would be able to come in and not complete another environmental review or be required to do such. Um, I will also note that though is that the AUAR is required to be updated every five years. Um, and so there will be some additional updates that'll happen along the process. Um, so and then obviously then basically then also the the PUD development stage preliminary plat approval for phase one, PUD final stage approval, and then city council final plat approval of phase one. Um, we look at this—I'll just use Spirit of Brandtjen Farms as an example. Um, we're now completing the last addition at Spirit of Brandtjen Farms which is the 25th addition. Um, and so that project um had a duration of 20 years. Um, so just to keep that in mind, this project is somewhat similar in size. Um, so this is not something that's going to happen overnight. Um, just some other things that again what we've been thinking about and meeting with people on—obviously is transportation, and transportation is going to be a big component to this. I know that staff has met with Dakota County um regarding 210th and how that connection might occur as far as a north-south parkway um on 210th which would be a major access to this property as well as the surrounding properties. Parks and open space and trails—those are two items that are um considered as part of your current 2040 comp plan. Um, that there is an expectation that there would be a neighborhood park somewhere on the property. In addition to that, there would be a greenway connection that would connect basically the future a future connection to Ritter Farm down through the property to the Soberg waterfall production area as far as a greenway is concerned, which we in our mind would be a trail um connection that would occur. Um, and again, that's part of your comp plan guidance. Presently, school district—we had an opportunity back on August 4th to meet with the school district to talk about the proposed development um and its implications regarding future enrollment. Um, keeping in mind again, this is a project that's going to occur over a long period of time. We gave them some ideas in terms of phasing, some ideas in terms of buyer profiles. Again, at one end of the spectrum, you probably have millennials who don't have necessarily a lot of children. And the other end you probably have empty nesters, retirees or baby boomers. So again, we don't have a lot of children. And so um you know depending upon the product type and how things are phased um there could be a very little impact in terms of enrollment but there will be definitely an impact in terms of the numbers of units that we would be building um on the enrollment. And we would continue to hopefully embrace those opportunities to meet with the school district to talk through that uh so that they have some idea of what our the future enrollment that this particular project would generate. As far as new enrollment, United Christian Academy—United Christian Academy is part of our joint application. They are obviously directly to the east of the property that we currently own. As far as the Leonards' property, we've had a number of meetings with them in terms of where they're at in their process. Um, we do feel United Christian Academy is definitely a benefit uh and an amenity to the overall development and would continue to hopefully have opportunities to work with them to get their program off and going. Okay. Just to give you an idea of process and milestones and again that's assuming um there's some direction this evening given—governmental approvals really are going to take us through 2026. Um, it's not our expectation that we're going to be starting until the latter part of 2026 with anything on this property. As we mentioned the AUAR process by itself is a 6 to 9 month process. We would complete development of phase one and again this would be a multiple-phase project um in 2027, not start homes until 2027 and not have any impact in terms of new homes being completed, school kids moving in, really until 2028. And we look at this project, you know, roughly roughly 1,200 units, we from somewhere between 2028 and 2040 and being completed again. A point of reference being Spirit of Brandtjen Farms is 20 years. Hopefully this isn't 20 years. Hopefully, it's more along the neighborhood of 12 years. But we don't, you know, have any idea. I think one thing Brandtjen Farms demonstrates is our commitment to what we begin is what we finish and we adhere to, you know, the overall plan that was originally uh approved. Um, we have uh engaged with a lot of consultants. A lot of those consultants will be part of the process as far as the AUAR concerned. I'm not going to go through these in any detail here, but that's just to give you some idea of different people like a traffic engineer, um the environmental assessment worksheet, um wastewater, all which will have input into the AUAR process. Wetland dilation, all that which we've actually started a lot of that process. Tree survey would be another one that I'll just throw out there. Um, in recognition of the tree ordinance that the staff, planning commission, and council work so hard on that, you know, we obviously recognize that as being an important element of our overall development project as we go forward. Um, proposed development mission statement. As I mentioned, you know, we look at Spirit of Brandtjen Farms as being a template. Um, there's a lot of really good ideas, a lot of hard work that went into Spirit of Brandtjen Farms. We like the end product that we ended up with. Um, it's a a great community, great place for people to live. Um, and so there's a lot of things that we will carry forward into this development. One of the things that we are looking at is basically a distinctive neighborhood of homes of different sizes and types. Really looking and that we're trying to appeal a lot to a lot of different buyer profiles, but all those homes will have one thing in, you know, that'll be consistent and that is specific design quality standards and architectural guidelines. Um, we will provide extensive connectivity and open space. That's one of the things that sort of makes Spirit of Brandtjen Farms sort of work and a great place to live. We're going to obviously work around existing wetlands and ponds to the extent that we can. Tree preservation—I mentioned that um we would expect that we're going to preserve a lot of the existing trees and woodlands on the site. Um but we would expect on the other hand also probably to exceed the 40% removal threshold to some degree. Um, it just will be difficult. This is a heavily treed site. Um which is—it's good and bad at the same time. But we do feel that again we're going to work to the best that we can um to sort of balance that um the development of the property and the preservation of existing trees and woodlands uh to provide a distinctive home associated amenity area. That's just sort of a foregone conclusion that we would do that. Uh and then again to develop the property legacy and template the development standards contained within Spirit of Brandtjen Farms as a PUD and that basically is reduced rights-of-way, reduced street widths, boulevards uh with trees in them, sidewalks, I mean all the things that you see that make Spirit sort of a unique place to live. With that, that completes my portion of the presentation. [1:03:18] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Okay. Council, do you have questions now or you want—do you want Tina? Do you want to give your... okay, let's do our staff report and then we'll... okay, very good. Thank you. **Todd Stuts (Tradition Development Corp)**: Thank you. [1:03:22] **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: Good evening. Thank you, mayor, members of the commission [Council]. Um, if we could get the other PowerPoint up. Um, Mr. Stuts provided a great comprehensive overview of the request. I'm going to dial in a little bit on the specifics just so you know kind of exactly where um all the moving parts are for the different amendments. Um but as Mr. Stuts mentioned, they have requested both a comprehensive plan amendment that is in two parts: usage staging change as well as a land use amendment and then the rezoning amendments so that we ensure consistency with the land use plan. And again, as he illustrated, it's a very—it's a first step in a lengthy planning process. Um, so again, the properties that are part of the amendment are highlighted um or outlined in red. Um, again, they have um purchased five properties. There's 16 other surrounding properties that are part of this amendment for the total of 390 gross acres. And again, the intent is to create a master plan developed after this concept plan. And this concept plan served as the basis for those land use amendments. Taking a step back and thinking about why are we doing this? I wanted just to send a reminder to the planning commission [Council]—reminder to council and as well as to help the public understand what a comprehensive plan is. Why are we doing this? So a comp plan is a—is just that. It's a long-range planning document um guides our future growth, guides our future development. It's required by state statute and it's approved by the Metropolitan Council. The land use element includes a sewer staging plan. That sewer staging plan projects the estimated timing for development based on projected extension of sewer. We update this plan every 10 years. So at each 10-year mark, we do our best to project um sewer timing um project exactly where we want different types of development to occur. But within that 10-year span, amendments can be requested by property owners to both the land use, the staging, and other elements based on development proposals. And this isn't the first amendment that you've seen. The land use plan itself outlines how land should—is intended to be developed or redeveloped over time. All of the yellow, orange, and brown illustrate um residential land use types. All of those have associated minimum densities. In our 2040 plan, which we're operating under today, we must maintain 3.0 units per acre overall. So, all of that residential property has to—we have to do the math of all the acres and all the densities and make sure we're at three—at least three units over three units overall. That's moving to three and a half when we do the 2050 plan. And then with that, once that's adopted, the zoning must be consistent with the land use. So the proposed land use changes a few things. There's a parcel that's going to go from commercial to medium high, rural density to low density, some rural density areas to low medium, and then some rural to medium high. And there's five parcels that have no land use change. So I'm just going to quickly highlight the areas. This commercial property um is being proposed to mirror... so it's a 40-acre piece that's split. In my opinion, it's never a good idea to split a piece of property into two different land use designations. This piece of commercial is off the beaten path and no direct access to 210th Street. So it is a good candidate for the switch. So the proposed is on the bottom. I should have made that clear. So the existing is on the top, the proposed is on the bottom. So that changes to medium high density. Then we get into the RDR which is rural density land use. So again we're talking land use, not zoning yet. And this rural density land use is basically—it's an interim land use. It's also um within the urban reserve area on the staging plan. So those two go hand in hand and as an interim land use it's there until sewer development occurs and then that land use has to be reguided to develop at urban densities because it's being served by sewer. So the intent was always for that rural area in this part of the community to always change along with that urban reserve. So in this case there's several areas that are under that rural density land use that are changing. So in this area it's switching to a portion of low and medium density, low density, and again low medium density. And those corresponding land uses are 0.1 to three units an acre for the low density moving up again to three and a half. The low medium is a change that allows density up to four to five units an acre and then the medium to high density allows a density of five to nine units an acre. So again, you can see the switches from the top of the page to the bottom of the page. The majority is all one level, one type of residential development. And again, putting this map up again so you can see how that land use change on those two maps, the existing, the proposed, correspond with the concept plan. The staging plan is a framework for when land will develop based on estimated expansion of sewer. So the area that's shown in white is what we call current or within the MUSA. Area A and area B have time frames. Um area B is the expansion area B which is what we're dealing with this evening has that 2029 to 2038 time frame. And then urban reserve is a designation that anticipates future development again when utilities are available and again amendments can be made to this plan. So the area um as Todd mentioned um there's a portion that's going from expansion area B to current and then urban reserve to current. So those are the two changes. One of the reasons why this makes sense now is there is improvements that will happen on the east side of 215th Street that will upgrade that entire street up to the interstate. With that will be improvements for water, storm, road improvements, and um yeah, stormwater um with an extension of the sewer under I-35 to serve this amendment area. These same improvements will serve approximately 270 acres of a new industrial development on the east side of I-35 south of County Road 70. So, all of this really goes hand in hand. The zoning map amendments follow suit just like the zoning map amendments. So if you look at the map on the top, you'll be able to see the corresponding land use. So areas that are going from rural residential be zoned RST-2 or RS-4. RS-4 is a low density designation. RST-2 is more of a low medium as well as a change to the RM-3. Again, this corresponds with that land use change. Again, Mr. Stuts outlined in a lot more detail than I am um about all the different steps in the process. The next step would be submittal of this amendment to the Met Council, get going on the preparation of the AUAR. That is something um the developer prepares, but we're heavily involved in the evaluation and the review. Then comes the master planning, um the PUD, the preliminary platting and all of that. Um, so that is all I have to try and outline what those changes are and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. [1:11:03] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay, very good. Council, any questions or comments? Councilmember Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: One question on this map in particular is I see one or two parcels that are outlined in black but are not highlighted uh in the zoning or use changes... **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: Is the... there are a few properties that are not having a land use change. They are staying the way they are. **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: In the on the previous slide in the upper... **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: This one? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: No, the satellite image. It was what I was looking at. Uh, in the upper left there are two looks like two... **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: Up in this location? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: No. **Community Development Director Tina Goodroad**: No. **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Okay. Um, just a comment—when when we started this conversation it was important to me that we were looking at this whole area. So I'm glad that that message was translated and uh was used as part of this planning process and to Tradition and the developer, thank you for for doing that. Um and then in today's packet, ultimately an AUAR was going to happen no matter what. Um, but I think putting it in as a stipulation of this uh change not being effective until that AUAR is successfully completed was uh an important change at least for me to kind of wrap my head around. Uh, ensuring that process played out in the way that uh we still had checkpoints in place to make changes or shifts if there were concerns that came out of that AUAR. So, um I know it doesn't sound like a a big change, but I think that was important to me so that I would be comfortable going forward with that plan. Um and I think the outlining of all of these steps is important. Um I mean, we saw how lengthy just the presentation was. Uh, to know how long that process is going to be and how many checkpoints are in that process is an important thing. So, um appreciate uh both of those things. [1:13:20] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: So, this is not a public hearing, but it's custom the council will allow the public to talk for up to three minutes. It's a little bit different setup from the planning commission, but if you have questions or comments, we'd have you raise your hand, come on up, state your name and your address for the record, and I will gently remind you when you have a little bit of time left. [1:13:46] **Beth Len**: Come on up. Um, good evening, Beth Len. I own two of the properties that are in the corner that you just talked about, um, that are not included. Although there is still a road that's showing on the first plan, it's not on the second to the far top left. Um, so I have 12330 210th Street and 12000 210th. Um, the situation—a couple things. I was glad to hear that the developer is actually realizing there's a lot more wetlands than he first thought. So, I appreciate the fact that the AUAR is going to be done first. I would recommend it be done first before you do anything more. Um, because I think you're going to find a lot of wetland impact. In addition, I'm concerned about how you've got the box from Leonards. It's actually the opposite that you are um increasing the zoning where the most trees and water are versus up front where if you're going to increase zoning it should be towards the front where you have less water and less trees. Um, that whole property of all of our neighbors along the north side of Leonards is where all the animals are, where all the trees and water. Um, and so after you put in the development over by Walmart there and took down 9,900 trees or whatever it was, all of those animals have come across and are in that environment in that area. Also, I didn't notice that one of your areas of expertise of your consultants did not include the federal government because that land is a federal hunting land at Soberg. My kids have hunted there for years. Um, I don't know how we can impact and think about 1,200 homes next to a hunting zone. Um, obviously that would be very disappointing for Lakeville to lose that opportunity to provide that for our kids and and our adults. Um, so again I I think that um they talk about 300-400 acres the area there. We were one—we received two letters because we own two of the properties of the 21 they talk about and I know several of my neighbors are not interested in selling and neither are we. So I I'm concerned about their math and how many actual they can do. Um, first time we heard tonight there might be only 300 homes. That seems a lot more reasonable than 1,200. Again the environmental study is the key. Um, we've already had a negative impact when Dakota County put in the 210th Street Road, County Road 70, four lanes, and they stopped short of right where you want to put that first right top right uh road in. Um, and they went back to two lanes. The reason it went back to two lanes is that whole area is all water up in that area. They didn't—they would have had a hard time with all the wetlands to take it that last um 5/10 of a mile. So again, we don't have the road capacity background with the school district. I'm glad you've met with them. You've heard the superintendent speak at the planning committee that they weren't prepared for this. Just want to remind you um yes, we they'll have time to prepare whether it's new kids or baby boomers, whatever without kids. Um it's still an impact on the school district and it's going to take time and a bond referendum um there to get through all of that. So, I'd ask you to honor your 2040 plan. You put, as Tina indicated, you've put a lot of time and effort into that. You change it every 10 years. Um, I ask that you consider keeping that until it's time to change it for 2050. Thank you. [1:17:14] **Bob Ericson**: Mayor, mayor, uh, city council members, city administrator, good evening. I'm Bob Ericson, 19080 Inndale Drive. What caught my attention to bring me to this uh meeting and previously to the planning commission was the fact that um public hearing notice in the Lakeville Sun Current indicated that there would be a use expansion and I know that was out of sequence with the current comprehensive plan. I was primarily concerned about the impact on the school district as a former school board member which I had followed very closely in recent months. Very quickly uh and as you know I won't read it in detail but the Lakeville schools uh in their written statements said they could not support the change at this time and the reason for that was a lack of details and the comprehensive plan is very clear on any MUSA expansion and any comprehensive plan amendment uh in this case out of slightly out of sequence uh was not being done um in a consistent manner. Um, this evening you're considering a comprehensive plan amendment that uh is a departure from the long-standing practice of the city of Lakeville whereby they would do the AUAR first followed by the subsequent comprehensive plan amendment and MUSA expansion. So, this is a departure. Um, also I think there's been an uh some outreach by the community development director to her credit regarding local agency reactions and responses. What's lacking however is any response from any water shed or watersheds, Environmental Quality Board, or the Met Council which is required in the case of the Met Council for any MUSA expansion in this case out of sequence from the current comprehensive plan. Finally, um I didn't notice any response from uh the federal Department of Interior regarding the Soberg site, the Soberg 114-acre waterfowl production area, which also allows for single projectile and uh hunting with uh archery for deer, uh waterfowl, and other uh eligible um hunting license products. Um very quickly, an AUAR is a planning tool for local governments to assess the cumulative impacts of anticipated development scenarios within a given geographic area. Nothing could be more accurately stated than that regarding the purpose and the benefits of an AUAR. I'm concerned with regard to the findings of fact for the Tradition Development Corporation 2024 comprehensive plan amendment—findings of fact primarily there's no reference to the AUAR and I would think at a minimum since this findings of fact is dependent on the approval of the Met Council that at a minimum if we're going to deviate from their past practice and do the rezoning before you have the details of development which would be driven by an AUAR uh would occur. So I at a minimum I think if—if the city council on a four-fifths vote or greater would want to approve the comprehensive plan amendment via the findings of fact at a minimum the findings of fact should reference the the need or the requirement or the responsibility of doing an AUAR. Again, the response from other agencies excluded watershed, EQB, Met Council, and the federal Department of Interior. I appreciate this opportunity. It's not a scheduled public hearing. So, mayor, thank you for this opportunity. [1:21:47] **Larry Jones**: Thank you. Good evening, council members. My name is Larry Jones, 12450 210th Street West. I have the very farthest 10 acres on 210th Street on the south side in Lakeville and Dakota County. Um, one of my biggest concerns is the way this map is laid out for the transportation road going up there. If you would look at a farther picture of it, you'll see Laredo Path on the north side uh already intersects the 210th Street. This road would come in farther east that's in this planning uh drawing here that once again creates another intersection uh for traffic issues. Um, and it would be and somehow I think in the planning commission's uh venue to somehow align up that intersection um for better traffic control. Uh, I know that uh County Road 70 has become very, very uh heavy in uh traffic uh construction equipment stuff going to and from um due to more development to the west uh out there uh past territory and uh areas and stuff like that. Uh so um just a heads up in reference to that. One more note as far as wildlife, the development to the west of my property and and to the south there uh in uh township uh there um we used to have coyotes, deers, fox, uh turkeys wandering through our property all the time. That's almost all disappeared now. We don't see any turkeys. Deer are very, very random. Coyotes, fox, nothing. All that due to that development that will only continue to happen to complete uh disappearance of any wildlife with this development behind us. I don't see anything as far as uh maintaining that kind of atmosphere out there. I lived in this community almost going almost on 49 years. I've seen development uh come in to the west of us uh Wagon Wheel territory. All this development I've seen now uh north of Walmart there, that development in the old gravel pit and stuff. We'll continue to see development. I know that's part of a city growing and stuff like that, but um at some point um you know in reference to schools and stuff like that, I think um there's got a lot to be considered with regard to that. Thank you. [1:24:43] **Peter Thielen**: Thank you. Hi, Peter Thielen 12119 Lucerne Trail. Um, very well spoken people that were up in front of me um about the Soberg Wildlife Refuge. The concern on the traffic—um I come up—I try to use Laredo Path quite often. Um sometimes you sit there for a few minutes before you can get out into the traffic already. You add another 500,000 cars on there per day, per morning shift, per evening shift. Um, I guess I'm just just concerned about the traffic and the the wildlife refuge just and I I like what everybody else has said in front of me and agree with what was said. Thank you. [1:25:42] **Carrie Cole**: Hello council. Thank you for uh taking the time to allow me to speak. My name is Carrie Cole. I live at 12330 210th Street and like my wife, we own two properties there. I guess my biggest concerns are was with the road and the water. Uh with all that water, Lake Villa is uh highs and lows. You have water on top of the hill, you have water on the bottom of the hill. Um you know, you start moving all those ponds around. When they redeveloped 70 there and narrowed it back down coming in front of our property, they also changed the water table. And unfortunately, there's no predetermined what the water table was before because we've been through this process with Jacobson and the city, the county, the state, the DNR, and they didn't have a predetermined level before. But since they've done the road, we've had more issues with water in my son's basement. And I'm concerned that with moving the amount of water that is up on the top of Leonards' property, um that's going to change where water shows up. I mean, there's more water on that property than there was on the original plan. Um the one road, if they continue with the road that they've removed off of the current maps, um that would cross over uh wetland to get out to County Road 70. The other thing is if they wanted to do that road, the the new development to the west there has a T coming in um down there at the on the corner of the property. And I would look at that as a means of getting it at least further away and that you're going to have to deal with County Road 70, no matter how you cut and dry it. I mean, if you're going to put that much traffic onto the 70, it's going to have to be widened with turn lanes and everything else. So, anyway, that was my concern about the water. Thank you. [1:27:45] **Steve Helvik**: Hello council. My name is Steve Helvik. I live at 12430 uh next to Larry Jones. Um, one of the concerns I have is that uh when Minnesota Energy or the gas company put the high-pressure gas main in and the road has to be changed, then whether it's eminent domain or easement to our side of the road. Carrie brought up the point that there's water up by his property. So that road is going to be not a straight shot unless somebody gives state permission to fill that pond in to the south side of 210th Street. So in that being said, our our 10 acres get dropped down and there has to be a—at some point the traffic now is a freeway. It's I-35W um between 3:00 and 5:00, 6:00. Uh, we've almost been rear-ended at 60 miles an hour. It's not policed. Um, it's not counted very well during the winter. Scott County goes down to Lucerne, turns around, comes back. We don't ever get plowed out by Dakota. So, I guess my concern with that is that, you know, you come to a road project has to be overlooked to fend a development that size. Um, there—granted there's a roundabout road that goes in um whether we we decide to sell, whoever decides to sell, but there still has to be something considered in the road project itself uh with all that traffic and the gas mains are not moving. So that's my concern. Um, there would have to be some road study done to to make this go through. Thank you. [1:29:41] **David Barnes**: Thank you. Well, I'll blame you. Uh, thank you. My name is David Barnes. I live at 12400 210th Street, uh, right next to Steve. I guess you've heard a lot of the concerns. I agree with them. Transportation is a big one, you know, and I'm going to echo Mr. Lee's comment. I think it's good that you're you're asking that question because this is a unique piece of land. It's not like—and I can't pronounce it, I apologize—the Brandtjen Farms, where you have a lot of access, right? It's much more open than what this is. And my concern is that we try to stuff too many doors into something that this whole area isn't made for. It's just not set up this way, the way it's boxed in with I-35 and 70. So, when I look at this, yep, you've got some color-coded places, uh, you know, parcels in there, but you really have to think about the impact past that. And so I I really do agree with you in let's look at this but let's make sure that we understand the impact across the board and not just what the developers want to do because I do think it's going to hit a lot of other things that uh we need to think about. Transportation is a huge one. So thank you. [1:31:00] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Very good. I'll take it as that there were no other comments. Okay. Um, well, I first I want to—I appreciate everybody kind of sharing. My hope is that this environmental kind of review process is going to answer a lot of those. I think some of the questions that have come up tonight are really important. Make sure that for our staff that we kind of flag to make sure that especially when we're talking about water and and trees and all those type of things and transportation because it sounds like that's what's out there. So, I think from our perspective, those are all things that as we move through this process, we want to make sure we get right so that we're not um making a mistake because again, as they mentioned, this is a 20-year project and so it's a a long-term solution for this area. So, we want to make sure that we're we're doing that. Um, council, any other comments or questions or anything else from staff? Council member Bermel? [1:31:45] **Councilmember John Bermel**: I just want to echo, thank you for your comments. They also watched the planning commission meeting and heard the comments there and they're spot on when we start talking about the transportation, the impact on schools, uh the wildlife, the trees, all of those things are factors and that's my understanding is that's what the AUAR is designed to address. And this is what we do tonight doesn't mean shovels in the ground next week. Uh, this is something that will you know the AUAR will follow this and none of this becomes official until the Met Council uh says that it is and so I see this as one part—what we're looking at tonight as one part of a longer process uh that's probably a 15, 12 to 15-year project maybe even a 20-year project uh but I do appreciate the comments. I—I agree. You know, nobody wants a bad traffic situation. Uh nobody wants water flowing where it hadn't been flowing. And my hope is uh that's the process of what the AUAR is, is to take a look at those and to get people's input. Uh this is something—it's not like, well, we're done after tonight. Uh there will be plenty of opportunities for input uh as this project continues. [1:32:51] **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: I mean, as we go through this process, I'll certainly be looking at the concerns that have been brought up today and make sure that that continues to be on the forefront. I think there is a benefit to having a developer come in and propose something because really now this helps our AUAR process talk about something that's realistic as opposed to hypothetical. Um, I think if we were talking hypothetical, some of those estimates would be lower than, you know, potentially what would actually come in. And I I want us to be honest about what new development is coming in here. And and is there—is this area—does it have the capacity for—for what we're proposing here? So, um I I'm not uh worried that we will not look at this thoroughly. Uh but I do encourage your continued uh input and attendance at meetings like this because I—it does matter and it does make a difference. So, um again, just putting all the cards out there to Tradition. Appreciate your your um ability to put the input into action. So, I've seen that already and I think that's going to be true as we continue to. So, um so that's why I think I'm even more um uh comfortable with this because again, we've got something that's being proposed that's going to be realistic. And we're going to be looking at two scenarios uh through that AUAR process: what it's zoned now and what the impact would be if it was fully built out versus the future zoning uh proposed here and and what that difference really is between the two. So, um there's a lot to look at here, but um it'll be a good thing to be going through throughout the whole thing. [1:35:01] **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Any comments from staff? Otherwise, is there a motion? Council member Wolter? Um, I just would—I don't want to repeat what's been said by the other council members, but just want to underscore what some of what's already been said. This is the beginning of a long process and um like um council member Lee and Bermel said, I and the mayor—I'll be watching as well for many of the issues that have been raised. I think that's important uh as due diligence for us as as a project moves through. But I I take um I'm proud of the fact that of the developer that we've got looking at this, somebody that's very community-minded for Lakeville. So, I'm I'm confident that those are solutions that can be—can be worked out. So, thank you. [1:35:45] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Is there a motion? Council member Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: I move to approve one, a resolution amending a 2040 comprehensive land use map and staging map and adoption of findings of fact and two, an ordinance amending the zoning map and adoption of findings of fact. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay. Is there a second? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Second. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Is there any further discussion? Okay. Roll call, please. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Aye. [1:36:28] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Okay, I expect to see everybody here for all the other meetings when we're talking about this project. So, thank you for being here tonight. Um, moving on to items 8 and nine, any unfinished or new business? Okay. Um, our next city council meeting is Monday, September 15th here at city hall. Our next work session is Monday, September 22nd here on uh the Marian conference room. And with that, I'll take a motion to adjourn. **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: So moved. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Is there a second? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Second. **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Roll call, please. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Hellier? **Mayor Luke Hellier**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Bermel? **Councilmember John Bermel**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Wolter? **Councilmember Dan Wolter**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Lee? **Councilmember Joshua Lee**: Aye. **City Clerk Ann Orlofsky**: Volk? **Councilmember Michelle Volk**: Aye. [1:37:03] **Mayor Luke Hellier**: We're adjourned. Thank you.