#02 - Village Area Study. - Laserfiche WebLink

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POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS This is an important time in the history of Lake Elmo's Village Area. Preceding this Study, significant work has been done throughout the last two decades to ensure that the Village Area develops in a manner consistent with the Community's vision. Community planning is a continuous process that reacts to changes and anticipates new issues. The City's Interim Ordinance has allowed for a brief pause and review of the community's sentiment on the village area, along with the land use controls already in place to guide development. The following policy recommendations are broken into short and long term based on whether they can reasonably be done prior to (short term), or after (long term), the City rescinds its moratorium on new land uses. These recommendations are intended to guide ongoing review and discussion in a manner that will allow the City to further refine its plans and policies to achieve the community's vision for the Village Area. OLD VILLAGE AREA POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS DESCRIPTION Short Term (0-1 yrs) Review Land Uses already permitted in the V-MX Review permitted and conditional land uses in Section 10S.12.780, Table 11-1, particularly High for the Village Mixed Use zoning district. 1. Consider removing uses which are not complementary to the built form of the Old Village Area such as restaurants with drive throughs, or funeral homes and storage and sales lots due to public feedback and large unused surface parking areas. 2. Consider allowing retail/shopping centers under certain square footages 'by right'. 3. Consider limiting the use of Conditional Use Permits to accelerate establishment of acceptable uses and to prevent establishment of uses not fully in line with the community's vision. 4. Consider how the City would review a proposed brewery, distillery, or other such specialized businesses which are desired by the community having specific licensing requirements. Review Lot Dimensions and Building Bulk Requirements Assess whether bulk standards required under the zoning ordinance are in alignment with Medium the City's Design Standard Manual. 1. Re-evaluate minimum lot or unit areas to ensure that new development is consistent with the massing of pre-existing development in the old village area. 2. Re-evaluate setbacks for buildings in V-MDR, V-HDR, and V-MX districts to ensure that developments are designed according to best practices identified in the City's design standard manual. Define the Village Area Create one definition of the Village Area and create subdistricts for smaller areas withing Low the Overall Village Area. 1. Consider keeping the Old Village Area as is or extending to the west to include the undeveloped Schiltgen Farm property. Alternatively, a subdistrict called "West Village" could be created. 2. Consider revising the Civic District or its goals anticipating future uses of the old City and School building sites. 21