LINO LAKES, Minnesota – A real estate proposal in the northern metro is drawing resistance from the community.
Faraaz Yussuf of Zikar Holdings wants to develop 156 hectares of land in Lino Lakes.
The project includes hundreds of units with different types of housing, a variety of businesses and a mosque.
“There is a huge Muslim population in the north metro, mostly Blaine,” Yussuf said. “When we looked at creating a space that was friendly to the Muslim community, Lino Lakes just seemed like a natural kind of transition.”
Yussuf says the land, which is on a turf farm, is under contract and he wants to start construction next year.
But the city is considering a moratorium on the development and other nearby projects.
Zikar Holdings
Yussuf believes that some of the opposition to his proposal stems from Islamophobia.
“If we hadn’t had the mosque in the picture, I think for the most part there wouldn’t have been a concern,” he said. “All we ask is that our proposal is assessed on its merits.”
Dozens of people came to City Hall on Monday for a council work session to discuss the possible moratorium.
Many supported the development, while others wanted to press pause, including some city council members.
“This moratorium is not intended to stifle development, but to ensure clarity, transparency and thoughtful planning,” said Council Member Michael Ruhland. “Let’s take the time to get it right.”
The city says all projects are assessed based on “an assessment of environmental factors, including the city’s ability to meet current and future water needs,” because “water availability is an issue” for the city.
A city spokesperson says a moratorium would allow more planning time for the projects.
No decision was made during the working meeting on Monday.
Community members in favor of pausing the project told WCCO they are concerned about the safety and cost of building on a turf farm, not the mosque.
Mahmoud Hassan, a Blaine resident who is said to be considering moving to the new project, said he doesn’t think Islamophobia is behind the moratorium discussion.
“I think it’s a city process that they have to go through,” Hassan said. ‘I don’t think they’re the kind of people who would do that. I hope not.’
Here is the full statement from the City of Lino Lakes:
“The City is currently reviewing two land use applications for projects located along the Main Street corridor. As required by the City Code, both projects will go through a robust review process involving zoning ordinances, feedback from advisory boards and the City Council, consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and an assessment of environmental factors, including the city’s ability to meet current and future water needs. Water availability is an issue the city and its residents have been actively monitoring since 2017, when a court ordered the DNR to revoke the groundwater permits. Since then, several cities affected by the order, including the City of Lino Lakes, have appealed the changes to their water permitting permit. Until there is more clarity on this issue, the city will proceed cautiously to ensure that we are able to do so to meet the water needs of our community.
“The city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for a master plan for the Main Street corridor between Sunset Avenue and 4th Avenue. A moratorium could be imposed to allow time for this planning process.
“At this time, no decision has been made on a development proposal or a moratorium on the development of the city.”
David Schuman
