HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-29-2024 Council Special Work Session PacketCITY COUNCIL AGENDA
· SPECIAL WORK SESSION ·
Monday, April 29, 2024
6:00 PM.
Council Chambers
No Public Comment allowed at Work Sessions per the Rules of Decorum
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
2.Setting the Agenda: Additions or Deletions
3.Discussion Regarding Potential Residential Development Moratorium, Michael Grochala
& City Attorney, Jay Squires
4.Notices and Communications
5.Adjourn
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CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT
ITEM NO. 3
STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director
WORK SESSION DATE: April 29, 2024
TOPIC: Discussion Regarding Potential Residential Development
Moratorium
______________________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
On April 1, 2024, the City Council discussed the possible consideration of a development
moratorium in light of two potential projects proposed in the northwest quadrant of the City.
The Pulte/Del Webb and Madinah Lakes projects include approximately 400 acres of the
existing sod farm area north and south of Main Street.
The Council discussed concerns over water availability, citing the White Bear Lake court order
and the pending ruling on the City’s appeal of amendments to our water appropriation permit.
This includes court imposed restrictions on expansion of our water pumping capacity.
The discussion included the option of master planning the area. Both potential projects are
located in Planning District 2, along the Main Street corridor. Per the City’s 2040
Comprehensive Plan, a Master Plan for the Main Street Corridor between Sunset Avenue and
4th Avenue should be completed. A moratorium could be put in place to allow time for this
planning process.
City staff and City Attorney Squires will provide additional information regarding the water
supply status and the moratorium process at the meeting.
REQUESTED COUNCIL DIRECTION
Staff is requesting City Council direction on whether to prepare a draft interim ordinance
(moratorium) and proposed plan of study for Council review and consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
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Discussion on
Possible Residential
Moratorium
City Council Meeting
April 29, 2024
Background
Sod Farm Area Development Proposals
Integrate Properties
•PUD Concept Plan, (February 2022)
160 Acres south of Main Street
•Robinson Sod Farm EAW, (August 2022)
Negative Declaration on Need for Environmental Impact Statement (Oct. 2022)
•“Promenade” PUD revised Concept Plan, (October 2022).
Pulte Group/Del Web Community, (February 2024)
•250 Acres, Robinson Property North of Main Street.
•City Council tour of Bellwether development in Corcoran (March 21, 2024).
Madinah Lakes Project
•Information Posted on developers web page mid March.
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Project Location Map
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Pulte Project
Madinah Lakes
Background
April 1, 2024 Work Session –Council introduced topic of possible residential
moratorium
Water Capacity
•Status and impact of Water Appropriation Permit Contested Case Hearing
•Impact of White Bear Lake District Court Order
Planning considerations for Main Street Corridor
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Water Supply
On August 30, 2017, the Ramsey County District Court issued a judgement regarding the groundwater management of White Bear Lake and the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan Aquifer.
City’s Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Water Appropriation Permit 1985-6168 was amended to include the following requirements:
•Prepare a plan to convert, in whole or in part, to a surface water source.
•Enact and enforce a residential irrigation ban when White Bear Lake drops below 923.5.
•Prepare an enforceable plan to limit per capita water use (75 GPD for residential and 90 GPD Total).
•Report annually on collaborative efforts with NE communities to meet the per capita requirements.
City appealed the 3 of the 4 conditions.
•Hearing completed in December of 2023.
•Ruling is pending
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Water Supply
City also subject to court order prohibiting the issuance of new well permits or
increases within a 5 mile radius of White Bear Lake unless certain conditions are
met.
•May impact City’s ability to meet future maximum day demand needs
•City has 6 existing wells
Well 2 proposed to be capped and replaced as part of Water Treatment Plant Project
Well 4 is within 5 mile WBL radius will be used as peaking/maintenance well
•Timing of new wells is based on projected average and maximum day demands
and well firm capacity.
Well firm capacity is defined as the total system capacity with the largest well out of
service.
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2040 Comprehensive Plan Water Supply Chart
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2024 Water Supply Trigger Chart
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Water Supply
Current status
Slower than anticipated growth has allowed system to absorb increased use
from dry conditions.
Replacement of well 2 will be required when taken out of service.
The addition of well 7 (well 2 replacement) will accommodate approximately
1,400 households over current demands. Current households served is an
estimated 5,859.
Staff is beginning conversations with DNR regarding replacement of well 2.
White Bear Lake Water Supply work group, funded by legislative action in 2023,
is tasked with establishing a long term plan for water supply in NE Metro.
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Land Use and Development Area
Growth Projections and Land Use Plan
•The City’s Comprehensive Plan was adopted in November of 2020.
•The City planned for forecasted growth of 1,600 units between 2020 and 2030
and an additional 2,000 units between 2030 and 2040.
•The estimated 2030 population is 26,100. Estimated population as of 2022 is
21,658. 2020 Census population was 21,399.
•The City’s land use plan guides development and includes both a Full Build Out
Plan and a 2040 Plan.
Allows City to plan for and stage development and public infrastructure investments
while considering future needs of urban service area.
System plans including, transportation, parks, sanitary sewer and water supply are
based on the Land Use Plan.
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Full Build Land Use Map
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2040 Land Use Map
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Land Use and Development Plans
Utility Staging Plan
•Primary growth management tool. Extension of sanitary sewer and water
utilities based on this plan.
•Staging plan establishes the sequencing, timing and location of future growth
water and sewer.
•Based on 5 year increments.
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Utility Staging Map
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Land Use and Development Area
Development area
•The 2040 Land Use Plan provides for a mix of housing types and supporting
commercial opportunities along the Main Street Corridor.
•Both projects are located in Planning District 2. Specific guidance for this
planning district includes a recommendation that:
“A Master Plan for the Main Street Corridor between Sunset and Main Street should be
completed”.
•Both sites will require developer funded public improvements that would benefit
from a comprehensive planning effort.
•City process could include a master planning effort in conjunction with an
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) environmental document.
•Would eliminate need for multiple environmental review documents.
•Would address cumulative impacts and create a mitigation plan to guide staging of
improvements, permitting, and review processes.
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Next Steps
Council Direction
Whether to prepare a draft interim ordinance (moratorium) and proposed plan of
study for Council review and consideration
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