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TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026 VOL. 44 NO. 13 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
POLITICAL BRIEF: Precinct caucuses take place Feb. 3 PAGE 6
New public works building construction start set for May
82 homes proposed in conservation subdivision
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
LINO LAKES — The design of the Lino Lakes new public works building is almost complete. Once the facility design is approved, the city will look toward the construction phase of the project, which is scheduled to begin this May. The facility will replace the existing one at 1189 Main Street. “We’ve gone through a lot of fits and starts over the years looking
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
LINO LAKES — A concept plan proposing 82 single-family villa lots has been submitted to the city by M/I Homes of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The villas are proposed to be built in a conservation subdivision located northeast of Natures Refuge North. “This is an opportunity for the (Planning and Zoning) board to get a look at what the intention of the developer is,” said Board Chair Michael Root. “It is an opportunity for the board to give feedback and provide opinions. We don’t warrant anything ... Things can change.” The Pine Oaks addition was originally platted in 1980 with 49 lots. However, the development was never constructed. The concept of Natures Refuge, which includes the Pine Oaks area, was first presented to the city in 2006 as a conservation subdivision. The original site was 232 gross acres, and 278 single-family units were proposed. City Planner Katie Larsen said a mandatory environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) was prepared because the 278 housing units exceeded the 250-housing unit environmental review record (ERR) threshold. Ultimately, the original Natures Refuge did not materialize past the EAW process due to the decline in the housing market, and no preliminary plat was ever submitted. A smaller phase of the Natures Refuge development was approved in January 2022 with 60 single-family units on 95 gross acres. Current proposal The last phase of the project, Pine Oaks, proposes 82 villa lots on 75 acres. Larsen explained that it is a continuation of Natures Refuge North. The villas will provide life-cycle housing options with main-level living and association-maintained yards and snow removal. Wetlands, buffers, stormwater ponds and borrow areas are integrated throughout the development, creating about 55 acres of open space. According to Emily Becker, a representative from M/I Homes, due to the significant wetland impact on 49 lots, the 1980 plat will need to be vacated. “It was a difficult site to plan out because of the wetlands,” said Becker. “We took a lot of care to impact the wetlands as little as possible. We are conserving around 32 acres of the 34.5 acres of wetlands, and following the buffer that is required.” She added M/I Homes is also trying to avoid rare species on the site as much as possible. A street, known as Street A, is proposed to connect to Pine Street and Orange Street. A second street, Street B, is proposed to be a continuation of Haywood Drive.
at this facility,” Community Development Director Michael Grochala said. “(It) took a backseat to Fire Station 2 back in 2015, and now we’re circling back to get this thing done.” According to the staff report, the design phase is nearing completion, with construction anticipated to begin in May 2026. The proposed building, approximately 91,000 square feet, will include office and community meeting space, a fleet
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The Centerville Lions will put on its annual ice fishing contest once again on Centerville Lake. The longtime winter tradition will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Tickets go on sale beginning at 9 a.m. Bring your friends, family and fishing gear for a day on the ice while supporting local Lions projects.
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SEE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, PAGE 5
Ice fishing contest returns for another year
SEE CONCEPT PLAN, PAGE 2
LINO LAKES 8121 Lake Drive
garage and mechanic’s bay. Constructed in 1971, the current buildings on site no longer meet the operational needs of the city. According to Grochala, this project has been under consideration by the council for over 10 years. In 2025, the city hired Ortel Architects to design the new facility and RJM Construction to serve as construction manager.
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