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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 3/4/25 <br /> Consent <br /> <br />TO: Lake Elmo City Council <br />FROM: Nathan Fuerst, AICP, Consulting Planner <br />AGENDA ITEM: Highpointe Crossing - Preliminary Plat Extension Request <br />REVIEWED BY: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The City Council approved the Highpointe Crossing OP PUD and Preliminary Plat on September 17, <br />2024. The Subdivision Ordinance requires the subdivider to apply for a final plat within 180 days of <br />preliminary plat approval or the preliminary plat becomes void unless extended and approved by the <br />Council. The deadline for a final plat application is currently March 16, 2025. <br /> <br />The Applicant, Paul Robinson with Rachel Development has requested a year extension to the current <br />deadline of March 16 to allow for time to assess how they will move forward given complications <br />identified with the proposed community septic system. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />The City Council is asked to make a decision whether to extend the Highpointe Crossing final plat deadline <br />to March 16, 2026 from March 16, 2025. <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />A written narrative was requested from the applicant regarding this possible extension, and one was <br />provided via email on Friday, February 14, 2025, which is copied below: <br /> <br />We would like a year extension for the final plat. We need some time to seek an alternative to the <br />community septic system. As you know we had a mounding study and special soil tests <br />completed. The results from Braun we forwarded to the City. They showed that the soils do not <br />have enough hydraulic conductivity to take the water from the community septic site, very <br />disappointing. We still like the plan, and are planning to meet with you soon to see if there are <br />some alternative paths forward. <br /> <br />At this time, staff are identifying possible alternatives to move forward but require additional coordination <br />with the developer, and possibly the met council, prior to recommending any further next steps. <br /> <br />