The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved two land‑use actions during its Jan. 5 meeting: an ordinance amendment to Title 11 governing outdoor storage for auto‑repair businesses and a conditional use permit for Caliber Collision. The council also handled routine organizational items including designation of the legal newspaper and appointment of an acting mayor.

Community Development staff said the Title 11 amendment fixes omissions in earlier language adopted when outdoor storage was permitted for major auto‑repair uses. The change requires that a fenced storage area meet or exceed required building setbacks when abutting a public roadway or residential zone and narrows landscaping requirements so landscaping is required only when the fenced area is adjacent to residentially zoned property. Staff said the Planning Commission had reviewed the item and unanimously recommended approval.

Councilor Dan Walter moved to approve the ordinance amendment and a summary ordinance for publication; after a second, the council recorded a roll‑call vote with unanimous "Aye" votes from Council Members Lee, Volk, Hellyer, Burmel and Walter. The ordinance amendment was approved for publication.

Separately, the council considered a conditional use permit application from Caliber Collision. Joni Fiernhaber, lead construction manager for Cushman & Wakefield, said she was representing the building owner Nuveen and prospective tenant Caliber Collision. The property is at 9583 217th Street in an I‑1 (light industrial) zone. Staff said the proposed outdoor storage area is at the rear of the building, falls under the 10,000‑square‑foot allowance, and would provide 36 spaces (18 tandem), enclosed by a 6‑foot tall solid wood or similar fence with access through two manual sliding gates. Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Council moved and recorded a roll‑call vote that was unanimous, granting the conditional use permit and adopting the findings of fact.

On the consent agenda, staff noted the council's annual organizational items: designation of the legal newspaper for 2026 (This Week) and an agreement with Flagship Recreational to purchase and install playground equipment at the Lakeville Area Arts Center supported by a $90,000 donation from QA1. The consent agenda passed on a motion and voice vote.

Council also appointed Councilor John Burmel as acting mayor for 2026 by unanimous roll call after Burmel accepted the nomination.

Votes at a glance: the consent agenda passed by voice vote; the ordinance amendment to Title 11 passed unanimously by roll call (Lee, Volk, Hellyer, Burmel, Walter — all Aye); the Caliber Collision conditional use permit passed unanimously by roll call (Walter, Lee, Volk, Hellyer, Burmel — all Aye); the appointment of John Burmel as acting mayor passed unanimously by roll call.

Why it matters: the ordinance clarifies how outdoor vehicle storage for major auto‑repair uses must be sited and landscaped when near residential areas, and the Caliber Collision permit authorizes a fenced storage area under the new ordinance language. Both items were recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by the council in the same meeting.