03-10-26 City Council Workshop Packet

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4 Development Opportunities on City-Owned Land | Lake Elmo, Minnesota The City’s next cycle of comprehensive planning updates could be used to engage the community around the future of the site, laying the groundwork for future work as developers take an interest in the site. Generally, the panel outlined the following actions that can encourage and facilitate community participation in the evolution of the study site. • Host consistent in-person and virtual sessions with the community. • Provide insights into and education about the development process, particularly relating to terms and timing elements. • Hire professional engagement and communications professionals to help lead the efforts. • Provide design alternatives rather than using open-ended options to help manage expectations. • Always provide the “why” behind decisions to help bridge back to the community’s stated goals. • Rezone the site to allow for desired future land uses to accomplish the plan. • Use by-right zoning to speed processes where possible and reduce developer risk. • Build staff (or external) capacity, particularly for plan review, community engagement, and communications. • Streamline processes where possible to reduce the plan review to building permit application process to 12 months or less. Timing, Phasing, and Policy Throughout its deliberations, the panel noted a few key policy questions that the City should address in advance of significant development decisions at the study site. • Articulate the City’s financial positions relating to facilitating development. • Create design and other guidelines to encourage development that aligns with Lake Elmo’s character. • Build staffing and internal capacity to help move developers through City approvals. • Identify the City’s preferred timing for the disposition of this site. • Identify sustainability goals and make clear whether standards will be mandated or incentivized. • Anticipate future public service needs and consider setting land aside to serve those needs. A note about sewer capacity. Through an evaluation of the development scenario posed by the panel and considered previously by the City, the panel estimates that there will be enough capacity from the Oakdale sewer connection and agreement to service the type of development posed by the panel for the entire study site. Summary The panel outlined the range of positions the City could take in relation to development at the study site. The levels of involvement range from very hands-off, i.e., hiring a broker to put a “for sale” sign on the site, to very hands-on, wherein City staff would be involved in the development of each parcel and sub-parcel. Once the City has determined its preferred depth of involvement, it is encouraged to take the following steps. • Begin engaging with the public with early messaging. • Initiate conversations with Union Pacific about the sewer line work and the potential for a rail spur. • Plan for the sewer extension in capital planning and budgeting. • Work with Washington County to identify curb cuts into each of the three parcels. • Create a policy framework using the city’s comprehensive plan as a foundation. • Consider jurisdictional touchpoints with Oakdale to create beneficial alignments. The development potential of the study site and the high visibility of the parcels have created a unique opportunity for the City of Lake Elmo. The City’s careful and thoughtful approach to the site and the potential to add businesses, jobs, tax revenue, and potentially new housing to the broader community is exciting and could be transformative for this side of the city. While additional decisions will need to be made soon, the City’s elected leadership and professional staff are approaching the work with open minds and, with the additional guidance provided through this study, are well-equipped to make the decisions that will serve Lake Elmo well into the future.