Planning commission recommends approval of North Creek 2nd Edition preliminary plat

The Lakeville City Planning Commission voted Dec. 4 to recommend City Council approval of the North Creek 2nd Edition preliminary plat, a 53-unit replat by KJ Walk Inc. that proposes 26 single-family lots and 27 detached townhome lots east of Pilot Knob Road and south of 173rd Street.

"I'm Warren Israelson, the owner of KJ Walk," the applicant said, introducing the project as the final phase of work the company has carried out in the Pilot Knob area. City planning manager Miss Johnson told commissioners the new preliminary plat replaces a 2019 approval that had since expired and noted the revised plan adds six units compared with the earlier submission.

Miss Johnson summarized technical details: the site is zoned RST-2 (single-family and detached townhomes permitted), stormwater ponds were constructed with the first phase so no additional ponding is required, and the landscape plan includes a double-row evergreen buffer along Pilot Knob Road. She said the submitted tree inventory initially included trees outside the plat or already removed; a revised inventory shows 43 trees remain within the plat boundary and are proposed for removal. "Staff does recommend approval of the North Creek second edition preliminary plat subject to the 9 stipulations in the planning report as amended," Johnson said.

A commissioner asked whether the setbacks shown would be sufficient if Pilot Knob Road is ever expanded. Miss Johnson deferred to Assistant City Engineer Nelson, who said the Dakota County 2040 transportation plan does not show an expansion and that the existing right-of-way allocation used for review is sufficient.

Following questions and discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend City Council approval of the preliminary plat subject to the nine stipulations in the planning memo dated Nov. 24, 2025. The motion passed on roll call with all present commissioners voting "Aye." Miss Jensen said the item will likely be scheduled for City Council on Dec. 15, 2025.

The commission noted the revised tree inventory satisfied the listed stipulation and reminded the public that two other agenda items had been tabled and would return to later meetings. The City Council will consider the planning commission recommendation at its Dec. 15 meeting.