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3 Winter 2014-15 Planning & Development Update Since the release of the Lake Elmo preliminary 2040 population forecast by the Metropolitan Council, City staff has continued to track current development activity and approvals against the forecasted population figures. The Metropolitan Council has forecasted a 2040 population for Lake Elmo of 20,500. Based upon land use planning, spatial analysis and local knowledge of properties in Lake Elmo, City officials believe 18,500 to be a more realistic popu- lation forecast for 2040. While it is important to note that the City is no longer contractually obligated to fulfill growth targets from the now defunct Memorandum of Understanding, the City believes that a slightly reduced forecast is appropriate based upon the analysis completed. In order to communicate the City’s findings and desire for a lower forecast, City staff met with Met Council staff in Decem- ber to start the conversation of final- izing a population forecast as part of the 2015 System Statement. The Met Council noted that further refine- ment of the population forecast is part of the standard process of final- izing the 2040 population target. As the Met Council completes system statements for communities within the 7-County metropolitan area in 2015, the City will continue to be engaged to communicate the desire for a lower population forecast. To inform the City’s recommended population forecast, City staff has continued to track residential de- velopment that has received either preliminary of final approval thus far. The vast majority of residen- tial development proposed in Lake Elmo thus far has been located in the Stage 1 Area of the I-94 Corridor (south of 10th Street in between In- wood Ave. and Keats Ave.) and the Village Area. In addition, the major- ity of the development that has re- ceived approval thus far has been on the low end of the density ranges specified under the City’s Compre- hensive Plan. As these develop- ment proposals have become more concrete, they have provided very useful information in determining a realistic 2040 population forecast. The City will continue to share this information with the Metropolitan Council to inform their future popu- lation forecast for Lake Elmo. Look- ing forward, once the Metropolitan Council releases the 2015 system statement, the City of Lake Elmo will have until 2018 to complete a full update to its Comprehensive Plan. Factors that may influence future land use decisions include, but are not limited to, the Gateway Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project, a desire to have a larger business park in the southeast quadrant, and poten- tial redevelopment of the downtown area. For additional information about development projects approved by the City, contact the Community De- velopment Department at City Hall. City Hopes to Reduce 2040 Population Forecast by 2,000 City to Consider Going Bee Friendly The City of Lake Elmo hopes to become a more bee-friendly community in 2015. Over the past 20 years, the number of bees in the United States has decreased rapidly. The Lake Elmo Park Commission has been evaluating current ground maintenance practices and open space areas in regard to bee health, and they hope to present and pass an ordinance through the City Council in early 2015. The ordinance outlines the reasons why bees are necessary to agriculture and are in danger, and aims to pose Lake Elmo as a leader in Bee-Safe practices. It also pledges that Lake Elmo will not use systemic insecticides and harmful pesticides and will aim to provide pollinator friendly habitat on City land. “As a community that values its rich open space character, we feel that it is our duty to take measures to protect the local bee population,” said Park Commis- sioner David Steele. If passed, Lake Elmo will be one of the first Minnesota communities to become a “bee-safe” city. Shorewood was the first city in the Metro to pass the ordinance earlier this summer, followed by Minneapolis and Duluth. Are you interested in planning and development? The City of Lake Elmo is currently seeking to fill two vacant seats on the Planning Commission. The planning commission ad- vises the City Council regarding matters relevant to city planning and zoning practices, initiatives, applications and city code. Plan- ning commissioners serve three- year terms. For more information or to ap- ply contact City Hall at 651-747- 3900. Serve Your Community on the Planning Commission