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<br />4180 Napier Ct NE <br />St. Michael, MN 55376 <br />Office: 763.424.1500 <br />www.racheldevelopment.com <br /> <br /> <br />January 9, 2026 <br />City of Lake Elmo <br />Staff and Council <br /> <br />Sketch Plan Narrative <br />RE: Residential Estate Plan for Highpointe Crossing – 2298 Inwood <br />Background: <br />At the October 17, 2025 City Council meeting, we discussed alternatives to the previously <br />approved 65-lot plan for the property, for which sanitary sewer service was being pursued. <br />Two rural, large-lot alternatives were presented: an 11-lot plan and a 30-lot plan. <br /> <br />During that discussion, the Council indicated a preference for the lower-density, 11 Lot <br />concept. I explained at the time that implementing that plan would require several <br />exceptions to City code and policy, including the use of private wells instead of City water <br />and shared private driveways in lieu of a City roadway. <br /> <br />Following the meeting, we met with City staff and came to understand that obtaining those <br />exceptions would likely be challenging and time consuming. As a result, we reevaluated the <br />project and shifted our focus to using the City’s existing Residential Estate zoning district. <br /> <br />The Residential Estate district is one of the two zoning districts identifled in the <br />Comprehensive Plan that were later combined into the Rural Single Family land use <br />category that guides this property. This zoning district was also used for the two adjacent <br />developments and aligns with what both the Planning Commission and neighboring <br />residents have indicated is their preferred development pattern. <br /> <br />While it appears that Residential Estate zoning has not been used since 2009, it remains an <br />adopted zoning district and provides a clear and predictable framework for moving forward. <br /> <br />Unlike the earlier OP-PUD concept, we proactively identifled suitable septic locations on <br />each lot and submitted them to the County for approval. . That approval letter is attached <br />in Exhibit B.