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LINO LAKES: Will offer more flexibility for employees PAGE 10
Lexington residents question tax increase
Santa spreads holiday cheer
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Santa climbs aboard a fire engine to collect donations. The annual Centennial Fire District Santa Parade collected 5,354 pounds of food and $1,595 in cash donations from Circle Pines and Centerville residents for the Centennial Community Food Shelf and the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf. The Lexington Fire Department will host its Santa parade beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. See more pictures on page 9.
LEXINGTON — Two residents are wondering why their taxes are proposed to go up by more than 30% for 2022. Jackson Avenue resident Dan Dobsen said that just his city portion of his taxes is proposed to increase by more than 30%. “We are very concerned about a 35% increase on our property tax. What is the basis of this?” Dobsen asked at the city’s annual Truth in Taxation hearing. “Why is there this astronomical increase? All of the other increases on the bill are in the neighborhood of 2 to 10%.” Dobsen explained that on the proposed Anoka County property tax statement, the taxes he pays to the city of Lexington are proposed to go from $ 912 to $1,234, which represents an increase of $ 322, or 35%. Mayor Mike Murphy explained that the city is only proposing to increase its general levy by 5%, which is lower than the initial proposal of 7%. He mentioned that some of the increase may be due to an increase in property values. “Unfortunately, we have really low taxable market value,” explained City SEE CITY TAXES, PAGE 6
Lino Lakes council turns down car wash and oil change concept BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
LINO LAKES — A developer would like to build a car wash and oil change facility in the Market Place development, but the council says that’s not the right location for the business. Boing US Holdco, Inc. submitted a land use application for planned unit development (PUD) concept plan for a proposed car wash facility and separate oil change facility at 601 Apollo Drive. The 1.32-acre site is located within the Lino Lakes Market Place master planned shopping/retail center, which was approved in 2001. The development includes Target and Kohl’s, four retail buildings on Apollo Drive, and additional commercial buildings and lots along Lake Drive. Per the Market Place Planned Development Overlay (PDO) De-
sign Guidelines and site plan, the lot is to be developed as a bank. The applicant submitted the concept plan to seek input from the city’s advisory boards and City Council as to whether there would be interest to change the site use from a bank to a car wash and oil change facility. City Planner Katie Larsen explained that the zoning has flexibility, and the council could change the site plan use if desired at the Dec. 6 work session. If there was support for the project, the applicant would then need to move forward with a formal ordinance amendment and site plan review land use application. The site plan shows two separate buildings on the one lot. A 4,000-square-foot car wash is on the south side and a 1,400-squarefoot oil change building is on the north side. The car wash includes 15 vacuum cleaner bays and multi-
ple drive aisles. The oil change building includes three oil change bays and parking stalls. Larsen reminded the council that Muddy Cow, which is proposed to have a rooftop bar, is currently under construction and will be located immediately adjacent to the facility, which could generate noise concerns. Due to the high visibility of the commercial corner, the Economic Development Advisory Commission does not support changing the land use from a bank to a car wash and oil change, Larsen explained. The Planning and Zoning Board was a bit more divided (three in favor, two not in favor, and one abstention) of changing the use. “Overall, they were supportive of the use in the city, but they didn’t all agree on this being the best location,” she said. Mayor Rob Rafferty said, “I don’t mind the idea of the car
CONTRIBUTED
Boing US Holdco, Inc. is interested in building a car wash and oil change facility at 601 Apollo Drive in the Market Place development.
wash and an oil change facility, but not at this location. There is one just up the block … I would not be in favor of changing anything related to this particular site at this time.” Council Member Michael Ruhland said he was concerned about the noise from vacuum cleaners disrupting the rooftop next door. “We have got that
rooftop, which is one of the most highly anticipated rooftops in the area,” he said. “I just feel like that is not a good corner spot for it.” Council Member Tony Cavegn said, “I really like the idea of the facility, but I’m not thrilled with the location. I have no problem SEE COMMERCIAL CORNER, PAGE 10
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