Lino Lakes to vote Monday on moratorium for Madinah Lakes development

The Lino Lakes City Council is set to vote Monday on a development moratorium that, if adopted, will halt a proposed project designed to bring over 400 homes, businesses and a mosque to the community.

Community members have been deeply divided over the 156-acre Madinah Lakes development proposal, which has sparked public outcry from local residents.

Some supporters of the project allege discrimination and Islamophobia have influenced the opposition.

The city council moved to table discussion on the Madinah Lakes concept plan during a work session July 1, seemingly hampering the project from moving any further before the July 8 moratorium vote.

Developer Faraaz Yussuf, president of Zikar Holdings, later spoke a press conference hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN).

"Over the past several weeks, we have witnessed a series of unfair and unjust actions by the City Council," Yussuf said. "These actions appear to be motivated by the desires to accommodate a small group of residents who fear what our development truly represents – diversity, inclusivity and growth."

Yussuf said Zikar Holdings remains committed to its vision for the development and will continue to pursue the project will "fervent determination."

"Madinah Lakes is designed to be a thriving, sustainable community that fosters connectivity and environmental stewardship," he stated. "Our commitment to these principals is unwavering and we believe that our project would bring significant benefit to the Lino Lakes community, including a diverse range of housing options, green space and vital commercial amenities."

The proposed development moratorium, which would apply to roughly 900-acre portion of the community , would allow city leaders to devise a master plan for the area.

The one-year moratorium has been recommended for approval by the Lino Lakes Planning and Zoning Board.

The master plan process could broadly explore some of the overarching concerns tied to the Madinah Lakes project, such as water availability, density and traffic related to developments.

City leaders that've expressed support for the moratorium have claimed the measure would be a tool for thoughtful city planning , rather than a measure intended to stifle development.