April 20, 2026 | Mark Luis Foster

I live in an HOA in Lakeville and do a lot of biking around these parts. It seems everywhere I turn (on my bike, that is) a farm field is being converted into yet another HOA. You’d think that’s a good thing, but the speed at which such places are popping up always made me wonder if there was actually a plan that someone was following. Turns out: There is not.

From WCCO TV:

Now, the city leaders are weighing the benefits of a one-year moratorium that would hit pause on new housing construction. It’s time, they say, they need to address the demand.

Lakeville residents are now 78,000 folks, that is up from 45,000 in 2002. That’s a big increase for what was once a sleepy little south metro burb that people only used to drive by on their way to Iowa.

Housing First Minnesota reports that Lakeville is close to number one in issuance of building permits. The state is also considering a bill that would “lower barriers for first time homebuyers,” and control “zoning authority” of local governments.

“Having a legislative body in St. Paul making growth decisions for us is short-sighted,” [Lakeville Mayor Luke] Hellier said.

Lakeville leaders admit that the pace of building is affecting local schools, with the Lakeville Area School District preparing to beg voters to approve a new bond referendum of $140 million to upgrade and expand middle schools in the area.

You can watch the WCCO report HERE.