LINO LAKES, Minn. — The Lino Lakes City Council held a special work session Monday night to discuss a potential moratorium on residential development.
It comes after last week’s council meeting when hundreds of people packed city hall both in support and opposition of the proposal of a development called Madinah Lakes. It would be built on 156 acres on an old sod farm off Main Street, and would include housing for about 440 people, restaurants and a mosque.
The city council reiterated it is in “no way shape or form” close to approving any developments.
Hundreds of people also showed up to the work session where public comment was not allowed, but many people in the audience told KARE 11 after the meeting that they were pleased with the discussion and that emotions remained in check.
“This moratorium is not meant to stifle development, but to ensure clarity, transparency and thoughtful planning,” said council member Michael Ruhland.
The developer, Faraaz Yussuf, is the owner of Blaine-based Zikar Holdings. He said they expected some pushback over the project and that he doesn’t plan to back down.
“They think a moratorium will scare us away and that’s not going to be the case,” said Yussuf. “All we’re asking for is what every other developer has gotten and that’s a process to follow.”
The criticism online prompted Muslim advocacy organization CAIR-MN to send the city council a letter, requesting the project get equal treatment. At the meeting, the council cited infrastructure concerns, including water supply and that it wanted to allow for public comment.
“We have always been slow, intentional and methodical about our growth,” said Ruhland.
There is another development proposed in the same area that would also be put on pause if the council approves a moratorium. However, if the council reviews the Zikar Holdings development, there is a tentative review schedule, according to the city planner:
- Environmental Board Meeting: May 29, 2024
- Park Board Meeting: June 5, 2024
- Planning & Zoning Board Meeting: June 12, 2024
- City Council Work Session: July 1, 2024
As for the city council, its members and the mayor, denied KARE 11’s interview request after the work session.
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