08-21-2012 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2012 Page 10 of 15  Significant efforts to better install buffer provisions, providing transition areas between rural and sewer residential development near the Stonegate neighborhood, resulting in a proposed 100’ green belt including a public multi-use trail financed through parkland dedication from development. The proposed plan allows for a much greater range of housing densities than the City’s existing plan, and the Met Council has indicated that the lower-density residential district that has been proposed will be acceptable as long as the overall densities throughout the future sewer area with the I-94 Corridor planning area achieve a minimum density of 3.5 units per acre. The section pertaining to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has also been updated to reflect the update to this document that was recently approved. Under the revised MOU the City was granted an extension of five years to meet the minimum Residential Equivalent Connection (REC) unit counts that were included as part of this agreement. Staff has created a new development staging chart to reflect the extension and to further reflect the revised land use plan. The numbers included in Table 3-C in the plan meet the requirements of the MOU for total REC units and also are consistent with the density ranges specified in the future land use map. As development moves forward within the City’s sewer development areas, it is Staff’s intent to track all future sewer connections and to document all of these connections as contributing towards the City’s required REC units. In addition to the proposed Land Use Plan, the Comprehensive Plan Amendment includes a new Housing Plan as well. By making significant changes to the Land Use Plan, the City is required to provide an updated Housing Plan that reflects the proposed changes in land use. The Planning Commission thoroughly reviewed the Housing Plan, and revisions to this section were completed to reflect the recommendations of the Planning Commission. He shared the Staging plan which identifies growth areas; utilities, sewer and water and highlights what areas the city will able to serve and in what order. It defines and protects the city from developers wishing to extend infrastructure. He explained the details of the housing plan stating with regard to future plans – no revisions were made by the planning commission. Statistics show 2779 home owner occupied properties in Lake Elmo at a 95% ownership rate. The average residential property cost: $396K for Lake Elmo and $265K for Washington County; Persons per household down in Lake Elmo to 2.9; Population over 65 years of age: 11% in 2010, showing we have an aging population; Gap of 20-39 year old demographic in city; study of adjacent communities is significantly lower compared to adjacent communities/jurisdictions. The following goals were identified: 1) Support Family Neighborhoods 2) Walk-Ability 3) Expand Senior Housing Options 4) Greater Variety of Housing/Price Points/Rental Options He stated the process would include the submission of the comp plan for adjacent community review, submission to the Met Council within 60 to 120 days and the final approval back to the City Council anticipated in December 2012 or January 2013.