The Richfield City Council on Dec. 9 approved an interim use permit allowing Lake Wins Food Co‑op to use an adjacent vacant Lot 4 for occasional employee parking, but limited the permit to three years with two one‑year administrative extensions — a change from the five‑year term staff initially recommended.

Staff background: Lake Wins requested use of Lot 4 for up to roughly 122 days a year over the next five years. Staff recommended limited maintenance (no paving or striping), signage, and landscaping to discourage non‑employee parking; the planning commission recommended approval 3–2, with dissenting commissioners preferring a 3‑year term plus administrative extensions.

Council discussion: Councilmember Hayford O’Leary expressed concern that the lot has effectively been used for many years and urged a shorter term to encourage redevelopment. Planning staff said the administrative extension is typically a brief staff check‑in that asks the applicant to report on progress rather than a full public process. Representatives from Lake Wins said on‑street parking had only recently been added and those spaces are heavily used by nearby residents.

Outcome and conditions: Council amended the motion to set a three‑year interim use permit with provisions for two one‑year administrative extensions and approved the motion by unanimous roll call. The permit includes conditions described by staff (signage and landscaping) and staff will monitor compliance.

What’s next: Staff will work with Lake Wins and monitor the lot; if redevelopment advances, the interim use can be reassessed sooner.