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Lakeville council approves comp‑plan and zoning amendments to begin AUAR for 390‑acre Tradition Development
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Summary
Council approved comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments Sept. 2 so staff and the developer can submit the changes to the Metropolitan Council and initiate an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) and associated environmental, traffic, and infrastructure studies for a proposed 390‑acre development that could yield up to about 1,200 housing units; residents raised wetlands, traffic and school impact concerns.
The Lakeville City Council on Sept. 2 voted to approve amendments to the 2040 comprehensive plan and the zoning map to allow further review of a 390‑acre project proposed by Tradition Development Corp. The vote adopted findings of fact and allowed staff to move forward with Metropolitan Council submittal and an AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review).
Todd Stutz, representing Tradition Development Corp., described a concept that could ultimately accommodate as many as 1,200 housing units (developer estimate: approximately 600 detached single‑family homes and 600 attached units). Stutz said the application covers roughly 390 gross acres, of which about 258.67 net residential acres were identified for calculation under Met Council guidance, and that some parcels in the joint application are already guided consistently with the proposed land uses.
City planning staff and the developer said the AUAR process will include environmental studies (wetland delineation, soils and water resources), traffic and transportation analysis (including consideration of a new interchange and road connections), wastewater and sanitary trunk extensions, and mitigation planning. The developer and staff estimated the AUAR process will take roughly six to nine months; additional steps (PUD sketch plan, preliminary plat, final plat) would follow and the full project is likely to be phased over many years.
Multiple residents raised concerns during the council meeting about wetlands, potential impacts to a nearby federal waterfowl production area referenced by residents, traffic and the capacity of County Road 70/200th Street, and implications for school district enrollment and funding. Beth Loudon and others asked that the AUAR be completed and technical studies be done before land‑use changes proceeded; several residents said they had not received notice or were not interested in selling property. Former school board member Bob Erickson said the city’s past practice had been to complete environmental review before pursuing MUSA (Metropolitan Urban Service Area) expansions and asked that the AUAR requirement be clearly referenced in the findings of fact.
Council members and staff emphasized that approval tonight does not authorize construction or immediate service extension. Councilmembers said they view tonight’s vote as the beginning of a lengthy review process with many checkpoints, including public comment periods and Met Council review. The AUAR and subsequent studies will determine mitigation needs, transportation improvements, and the timing of sewer extensions.
