LINO LAKES, Minn. — Nearly 250 residents showed up to a Lino Lakes planning and zoning city meeting on Monday. City leaders discussed a highly criticized housing development and the proposal for a potential building moratorium that was first proposed in April. A City of Lino Lakes spokesperson says the measures won’t be officially voted upon until mid July.
The proposed Madinah Lakes development is dividing the community as dozens spoke against and in-favor of the development. It would be built on 156 acres on an old sod farm off Main Street, and would include housing for about up to 1,300 people, restaurants and a mosque. The developer, Faraaz Yussuf, says the new population wouldn’t be introduced all at once, it would be a gradual growth over 3-4 years.
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.
RELATED: Proposed development in Lino Lakes that includes a mosque draws controversary at council meeting
Lino Lakes residents have concerns over increased traffic, and water run-off from the development.
The criticism online prompted Muslim advocacy organization CAIR-MN to send the city council a letter, requesting the project get equal treatment. CAIR was present at the hearing and is closely following the developments.
The next meeting for this project will be Monday, June 24. An official vote by the council is scheduled for Monday, July 8. If the moratorium passes, it would take effect Aug. 15, 2024 and last a year.
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