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1. What is planning and what do planners do?

Planners review projects to ensure that they meet City codes. Planners are also responsible for processing environmental documents, ensuring the compatibility of proposed projects with existing development, preparing long range policy documents and updating the City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code.

2. What is the Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is the long-range statement of how and where growth and development in the community is to be located in the future. It is adopted by ordinance and includes a number of "elements" (or chapters) related to the social, economic, and physical aspects of future development. Each of the elements includes a number of goals, objectives, and policies that are to be applied to public and private land development. Some of the elements also include future conditions maps (such as the future land use map, and the long-range transportation plan maps). All local land development regulations (such as zoning, subdivision regulations, and environmental ordinances) are to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

3. What is Zoning?

Zoning is the prime tool for implementing the Comprehensive Plan. By controlling land uses and setting development standards throughout the city, zoning can guide development. Zoning also sets standards for long developed areas and can be a very helpful neighborhood preservation tool. Zoning standards for building setbacks, building height, parking, screening, permitted activities, etc. help to ensure that people do not have costs imposed upon them by their neighbors. Zoning makes it possible to create transitional land use patterns so that incompatible uses are separated and buffered and harsh face-to-face relationships are avoided. Zoning is also utilized to protect development from flooding and to assure safe and adequate traffic flow.

4. What is a Development Moratorium?

Minn. Stat. § 462.355 authorizes cities to adopt moratoria. A moratorium is effectively a freeze on development that focuses on particular uses and/or particular areas within the City.

A moratorium is intended to be a tool that protects the planning process. This goal is reflected in the requirement in the above statute that a city intends to or is involved in a study of the circumstances giving rise to the adoption of the moratorium.

A moratorium can be effective for a period of one (1) year. The Planning & Zoning Board holds a public hearing and the City Council adopts a 1st and 2nd reading of the ordinance. The ordinance is then published and goes into effect 30 days after publication.

5. What is a Variance?

A variance is a permit issued to a landowner by the City to deviate from the required development standards (e.g. parking, setbacks) set forth in the zoning regulations. In order to be approved for a variance, the proposal must meet several State-mandated findings.

6. What are Building Setbacks?

Building setbacks are minimum distances by which any building or structure must be separated from a property line. These setbacks assure the adequate distance to provide for supply of light and air, fire protection and more generally to assure the health safety and general welfare of property owners.

7. What is a Conditional Use Permit?

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is a discretionary permit that may be granted by the City to allow certain use classification(s) to operate on a particular property. Use classifications subject to CUPs typically possess unusual site development features or operating characteristics requiring consideration by one of the aforementioned decision making bodies to ensure that they will be designed, located and operated compatibly with uses on adjoining properties and in the surrounding area.

8. What is a Public Hearing?

Public Hearings are held on matters when required by law or as directed by the City. Public Hearings are typically associated with a Rezoning, Conditional Use Permit or Variance application. Citizens who wish to speak at public hearings will be heard in the meeting at the discretion of the meeting chairman following a published agenda for the City Board or Commission.

9. How do I get preliminary/ initial input for a development proposal?

Prior to submitting a formal entitlement application to the Planning Division, developers are encouraged to meet with City staff from various departments to obtain preliminary direction and input. Please contact the Community Development Department if you are interested in developing in Lino Lakes.

10. What is my property zoned?

Lino Lakes has a number of zoning districts. You can check the zoning map here on the website, or search the Anoka County GIS for your property.

11. What is the parking requirement for my business?

The parking requirements differ depending on the type of the use. Specific parking requirements are available in Lino Lakes Zoning Ordinance.

12. What is the City's Development Review Process

The following is a typical process for a development of large size and scope. 

1. The developer meets with City staff to generally describe the proposed development.

2. A Land Use Application for PUD Concept Plan/ Concept Plan is submitted to the City by the developer.

     a. Staff, Advisory Boards, and City Council review and provide high level comments.

3.  The developer starts preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), if required.

     a. Once the document is complete, the City Council will authorize distribution and the EAW becomes available for public comment.

4. The developer hosts a neighborhood meeting.

     a. This is an opportunity for the developer to hear feedback from the neighborhood.

     b. The developer will mail notices to residents within 600 feet of the development site.

5. A Land Use Application for PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat is submitted to the City by the developer.

     a. Staff and Advisory Boards review, provide detailed comments and make recommendation to the City Council.

     b. The Planning & Zoning Board holds a formal public hearing. This is the public’s opportunity to formally speak on the application at a public meeting.

     c. The City Council takes action.

6. A Land Use Application for PUD Final Plan/Final Plat is submitted to the City by the developer.

     a. Staff and Planning & Zoning review the final plans for consistency with preliminary plans.

     b. The City Council takes action.

13. How will residents be notified about Public Hearings?

Notice of the public hearing will be published in the official newspaper, the Quad Community Press, at least 10 days prior the hearing.

The City will mail written notification of the proposed PUD Preliminary Plan/Preliminary Plat to property owners located within 600 feet of the subjected site.

Residents can follow City Council and Board agendas on the city website at www.linolakes.us/165/City-Council.

Interested parties are welcome at all public meetings where the project is discussed. Please note that not all public meetings are public hearings.