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TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 VOL. 43 NO. 39 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
LINO LAKES AMBASSADORS: Meet the candidates PAGE 12
Peltier Ponds showcases fewer units BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
LINO LAKES—U.S. Home LLC, also known as Lennar, is proposing to build 165 single-family homes and 81 townhomes in Lino Lakes, just north of Centerville. The development will be called Peltier Ponds. In November 2024, Lennar submitted a planned unit development concept plan for input from the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council for a 262-housing-unit development. (See “Concept plan proposes 149 single-family homes, 113 townhomes,” Quad Community Press, Dec. 24, 2024.) The applicant held a neighborhood meeting in May 2025. Now the applicant has submitted a preliminary plat for review. “They were showing about 262 total housing units, that was 149 single-family (lots) and 113 townhomes. The plan we’re reviewing reduces that overall number to 246. They increased the number of single-family homes, but reduced the number
The great blue heron flyover
LEANN MICHAEL | CONTRIBUTED
Lino Lakes is home to one of Minnesota’s largest great blue heron rookeries. The island rookery can be found on Peltier Lake Island. Lino Lakes resident LeAnn Michael found that the wood bridge behind Rice Lake Elementary is a great spot to experience the city’s great blue herons. Rice Lake Elementary is located at 575 Birch St. For more information about the Peltier Island heron colony, visit the city’s website.
SEE PELTIER PONDS, PAGE 5
Council continues discussion about municipal cannabis store BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
LINO LAKES—The Lino Lakes City Council continues to discuss the possibility of a municipal cannabis store. (See “Lino Lakes undergoes feasibility study for possible municipal cannabis dispensary,” Quad Community Press, July 8.) A draft of the municipal cannabis dispensary community-based feasibility study conducted by Great White Companies MN LCC was presented by Great White Company representatives Colin Kelly, Bill Parker and Kierson Libby to city staff and the City Council at a recent work session. A feasibility study is intended to illustrate the
potential market and highlight projected sales. According to Kelly, a regulated cannabis market helps restrict access to those who should not have cannabis (those who are not 21 or older) and reduce the amount someone can purchase within a 30-day period. “In a regulated market, we see a decline in opioid and prescription drug abuse. Because of the security requirements for dispensary and cannabis facilities, the immediate area around those facilities sees a reduction in the average crime rate,” he added. While the law provides certain means of oversight by local units in government, the city cannot ban a cannabis business outright or limit
operations in a manner beyond those provided in state law. The city can, however, limit the number of retailers and businesses with retail endorsements allowed within the community. The law requires cities to allow one license per 12,500 people. Based on the city’s population, Lino Lakes is entitled to two licenses. If the city moves forward with a municipal dispensary, it will follow the general license application process. According to the Office of Cannabis Management, licenses for a municipal cannabis store will be issued regardless of the lottery selection process for cannabis retailer licenses if all conditions in Minnesota SEE CANNABIS STORE, PAGE 5
CONTRIBUTED
Great White Companies suggests placing the municipal cannabis dispensary off the Interstate Highway 35W exit.
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