Council approves Dodd Commons preliminary plat, clears site for new fire station

The Lakeville City Council on March 16 voted to approve the Dodd Commons preliminary plat, a conditional-use permit for a building taller than 35 feet in the C-3 General Commercial district, and the vacation of public right-of-way and roadway, drainage and utility easements that will be re-established with a future final plat.

Staff presented the site as a four-acre parcel at the southeast corner of 1/79 Street and Granby Lane that will host Fire Station 2, with vehicle access from Granby and a planned north-south access road to support apparatus movement. The plan also sets aside an outlot for stormwater and a future developable outlot. Planning Commission reviewed the plat on March 5 and recommended approval; staff said the plat will return for final-plat and easement re-establishment work.

Council discussion focused on a Dakota County comment about driveway access and the potential loss of a right-in/right-out used by adjacent businesses. Councilmember Joshua Lee sought assurance that language in exhibits would not restrict existing business access; staff replied that changes to access would require coordination with the county and that any future connection would have to be addressed with the county prior to a modification that affects adjacent business access.

A motion to approve the preliminary plat, the conditional-use permit for the height exception and the vacation of right-of-way and easements passed by roll call vote.

The approval clears a key step for the city to assemble the site for the planned Fire Station 2; staff said final plat documents and right-of-way re-establishment will be completed as the project moves toward design and construction.