Residents press council on traffic, parking and transparency amid Warwick sketch plan

Developers for a 25-acre parcel formerly part of the Warwick Estate presented a revised sketch plan to the Lakeville City Council on Sept. 10 that trades a previously proposed four-story apartment building for 165 market-rate townhomes and a mix of experiential and strip retail along Highway 50 adjacent to Antlers Park.

Jeff Cook of North Companies said the applicant reduced density after earlier council feedback and aims to preserve some commercial frontage while turning approximately 15.67 acres to medium-density residential and slightly increasing commercial acreage compared with the city’s 2040 land-use illustration. He told council a preliminary consultant run showed the residential plan would generate roughly 11–31% fewer daily vehicle trips than the office-park or commercial scenarios in the comp plan and that a full traffic study would accompany any formal application.

Why it matters: The site sits at several constrained access points near rail tracks and heavily used neighborhood streets. Speakers at the meeting said the parcel’s design will shape how Antlers Park and adjacent neighborhoods function during both peak park usage and the school-year commute.

Residents who spoke at the council meeting flagged access, parking and pedestrian safety as the most pressing concerns. Scott Newman, who lives on Lake Marion’s south side, asked about visitor parking counts and said the plan shows limited overflow stalls: “If they have people and guests, where are they gonna park? Out on the street?” Jill Lawrence, who cited earlier work sessions and a planning memorandum, directly challenged the city’s transparency: “Were we being lied to in February?” she asked, noting differences between what was discussed in February and the current materials.

Other speakers said streets near Antlers Park — notably 200 and Second — already carry substantial school-bus and commuter traffic, and several urged the council to require sidewalks and safer pedestrian connections before approving denser development. Patty McDonald, a Lake Marion resident and local business owner, questioned the market fit and asked which age groups the rental product targets; the developer said two-bedroom units would likely rent around $2,600 and three-bedroom units near $3,000 in today’s market.

Council response and next steps: Several councilmembers expressed continued concern about density, parking and circulation and said the sketch-plan review would be a long process. Staff and the applicant were directed to continue studying access options (including county-controlled roads) and traffic impacts and to return with more detailed analysis and any formal preliminary plat or rezoning applications. There was no formal vote on the sketch plan itself.

Public comment excerpts: “Were we being lied to in February?” — Jill Lawrence “If they have people and guests, where are they gonna park? Out on the street?” — Scott Newman

The council moved on to the next agenda item after receiving public comment and staff said the plan would return for additional review if the applicant files a formal application.