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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: April 7th 2026 <br />REGULAR <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Sophia Jensen, Senior City Planner <br />AGENDA ITEM: Preliminary Plat and Open Space Planned Unit Development – Granvia Preserve <br />REVIEWED BY: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br /> Nathan Fuerst, Bolton and Menk Planning Consultant <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance☒ <br />☒ Managed Growth <br />☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Twin Cities Land Development (TCLD) Land Holding LLC is requesting Preliminary Plat and Open Space Planned <br />Unit Development (OP-PUD) approval for a 58-unit development on approximately 110 acres of land. The project <br />is to be called Granvia Preserve and is located North of 50th Street and South of the Sanctuary Development. The <br />developer is requesting flexibility from the Rural Residential Zoning regulations to allow for an Open Space <br />development. <br />The City of Lake Elmo has not approved an OP-PUD since 2006. OP-PUD’s provide greater development flexibility <br />for projects, such as increased development density, in return for a minimum of 50% of a project being <br />dedicated to open natural areas which are preserved into perpetuity through conservation easements. This <br />project makes three requests for flexibility beyond what is provided for in the City’s OP-PUD ordinance. Such <br />requests must be approved through a supermajority vote of the City Council. <br />This tract of land has been reviewed throughout the years, most recently in 2024 with a layout proposed by <br />Landucci Development. At its regular workshop meeting on March 12th, 2024, the City Council reviewed the <br />concept plan for this project and was generally supportive of the request with modifications. Since that <br />workshop the City Council has updated the OP PUD ordinance to be more in line with current practices and <br />standards. With a greater level of detail in the proposed plans, staff have provided an assessment in this report <br />and appended memos about conformance with the City’s requirements and policies. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />The City Council should review and make a decision on the Preliminary Plat, and Preliminary Open Space <br />Planned Unit Development (PUD).