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5 <br /> <br />possible pedestrian corridors to separate the front entrance of the homes from garage dominated <br />streets. <br /> <br />Parkland Dedication: <br />This development, with 748 units, creates the potential for over 2000 residents using Lake Elmo’s <br />average household size. These residents will need access to, and create a demand on, the City’s <br />parks and trail system. Chapter 6 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan contains guidelines on the <br />City’s need for park land as it continues to develop. This project is in the middle of a park search <br />area for a neighborhood park, and staff have recommended that the development provide a <br />suitable amount of park or open space areas. Currently, the developer is proposing a nearly 2.5 <br />acre park abutting the open space with the remaining dedication requirements via cash in lieu of <br />land. <br /> <br />At its discussion on December 12, 2023, the City Council directed the Applicant to seek a review <br />from the City’s Parks Commission. The Parks Commission reviewed and discussed the concept at <br />its regular meeting on February 21, 2024. At its meeting, the Commission made a 3-2 <br />recommendation to reject the proposed park as too small to suit City needs. It was discussed by <br />the majority on the commission that the land area would not provide enough space for future park <br />programming. Others on the commission found that the City should seek to accept cash in lieu <br />funds to enhance the City’s parks system elsewhere. <br /> <br />PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS: <br />• A large central stormwater pond and adjacent park will provide over 11 acres of <br />contiguous open space in the center of the development within close proximity of all units. <br />• The development will provide a mix of different housing types, and serve as a transition <br />from more intensive commercial uses planned to the south of the site. <br />• The proposed development will connect to, and extend, City utilities at the expense of the <br />Developer. <br />• Trails, sidewalk, and roadway connectivity are proposed consistent with City plans. <br /> <br />FEEDBACK DESIRED: <br />• Will the park land area be suitable in terms of location and area? <br />• Is the request to have the Apartment parcel smaller than the City’s minimum supported? If <br />so, under what circumstances? <br />• Will the 35’ and 40’ wide detached single family lots be supported? <br />• What specific design considerations should the Applicant anticipate are concerns for the <br />City? <br />• Buffering will be required, what types of buffering might the Council find most <br />acceptable? Is a greater setback needed between the townhomes and business <br />park/commercial use to the south? <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />• Proposed concept plans and narrative <br />• 12/4/2022 - Planning Comment Memo – Sketch Plan Review <br />• 11/25/2022 - City Engineering Comment Memo <br />• 11/22/2022 - Fire Chief Comments <br />• 8/8/2022 - Landscape Architect Comment Memo <br />