The Lino Lakes City Council has approved a new master plan that will guide development in the city’s northwest area for the next 30 years. The decision directly affects the proposed Madinah Lakes project, a Muslim-centered housing and community development that has faced controversy and pushback.
The master plan covers a 962-acre area and sets strict rules for how development can move forward. It requires that high-density housing and commercial projects be concentrated in the western part of the city. Buildings in these areas cannot exceed three stories, and new housing must be limited to 8–10 units per acre. All projects must also pass an environmental review.
City officials described the plan as an important step in managing growth. “This is incredible, quick, and important with two large developments coming in,” one council member said during Monday’s meeting. The council did not specify which projects they were referring to, but both Madinah Lakes and another proposal, Java Lino Lakes, were discussed later in the session.
How the Plan Came About
The master plan was developed after months of heated debate over the Madinah Lakes proposal. That project, led by developer Faraaz Mohammed and his company Zikar Holdings, aims to transform a former sod farm into a 400-unit housing development built around a mosque. The plan also includes shops and other amenities, with space for about 1,500 residents—most of them Muslim.
The proposal sparked strong reactions in the community, with some residents voicing concerns about the pace of development and others pointing to anti-Muslim sentiment as a driving factor in the opposition. After the initial backlash, the city imposed a year-long moratorium on new development in the area. City leaders said the pause was necessary to create a thoughtful long-term growth plan, but Mohammed claimed the decision was rooted in discrimination and sued the city. A federal judge rejected his lawsuit.
Community Voices and Concerns
At Monday’s meeting, only a handful of residents attended. One man, Randy Rennaker, praised the council for its “due process” and said he welcomed the city’s efforts to manage growth. Another resident, who did not want to be named, criticized the decision to concentrate high-density housing in just one part of the city, saying it unfairly placed the burden of new growth on one neighborhood.
Architect Dean Dovolis, who designed the Madinah Lakes project, has previously said the new master plan could make the development significantly more expensive. By restricting building density and height, the plan reduces flexibility for large projects like Madinah Lakes.
Project manager Leila Bunge, who helped oversee the creation of the master plan, described the process as long but inclusive. She said it involved “a lot of community engagement,” including feedback from developers, residents, and local school districts.
A Contentious Future
The Madinah Lakes project has remained a lightning rod for debate in Lino Lakes. For supporters, it represents an opportunity to create housing and community spaces that reflect the city’s growing diversity. For critics, it raises concerns about density, infrastructure, and the speed of change in a historically quiet part of the city.
Some opponents have linked their objections to the background of developer Faraaz Mohammed, who previously pleaded guilty to theft by swindle in 2013. Others, however, have made comments that community leaders and civil rights groups say reflect Islamophobic attitudes. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) has previously spoken out against remarks made by city officials and residents about the project, calling them discriminatory.
Despite the controversy, city leaders insist the new master plan is about balanced growth, not targeting any specific project. Still, the restrictions it creates will almost certainly shape the future of Madinah Lakes. For now, it remains unclear whether Mohammed and his team will adjust their plans or continue to fight against the city’s rules.
The approval of the master plan marks a turning point for Lino Lakes. While officials see it as a roadmap for responsible growth, the debate over Madinah Lakes shows that questions of identity, inclusion, and development will remain central to the city’s future.
