Chart House seeks larger lakeside bar; planning commission backs shoreland variance and CUP amendment

The Lakeville Planning Commission on Sept. 18 voted to recommend City Council approval of an amendment to the Chart House conditional‑use permit to exceed the Shoreland Overlay impervious‑surface limit and a variance from the lake setback. The applicant, George Maverick, owner of the Chart House, said he plans to replace the existing 1,600‑square‑foot outdoor bar with a new 2,660‑square‑foot structure, adding roughly 1,200 square feet of impervious surface to provide covered seating with five roll‑up doors and radiant floor heat to extend the shoulder season.

Planning staff described the property at 11287 Klamath Trail as zoned C‑3 (general commercial) and guided as commercial in Neighborhood Planning District 1. Staff said the shoreline regulations require a 150‑foot setback from Kingsley Lake’s ordinary high‑water line; the proposed new building would be at about 95 feet on the west side and about 107 feet at the closest north point. Staff reported that the property totals about 24 acres with roughly 17 acres of water and approximately 4.5 acres above the ordinary high‑water line. The site’s impervious surface under the new plan was calculated at about 43–46 percent, which is above the current 25 percent allowance but below the 48 percent permitted under a site‑specific conditional use permit originally approved in 1997. Staff recommended approval with stipulations covering stormwater, grading, exterior materials and other standard conditions.

“Right now it’s a small 1,600‑square‑foot building where everybody’s kinda hanging outside and gets rained on on a day like today,” George Maverick said, describing the proposed structure and its roll‑up doors. Planning staff noted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reviewed the proposal and recommended avoiding a public‑water permit if possible; otherwise DNR had minimal comments. Staff said the proposed location and the addition of a rain garden and stormwater treatment represented a site option with relatively lower environmental impacts.

Several commissioners expressed support. Commissioner Swanson said the site predates current shoreland rules and commented, “I’m comfortable with everything that’s being proposed with the amount of impervious surface on the site. I like the fact that you’re adding a rain garden … to work on improving water quality to Kingsley Lake.” The commission voted to forward the conditional‑use permit amendment and variance to the City Council subject to the seven stipulations listed in the planning memo dated Sept. 9, 2025.

No members of the public signed up or testified during the hearing.