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Gary VanCleve, 4931Lilac, President of Fields Homeowners Assoc, stated it is important that this property stay in Lake Elmo. He is interested in that area of 50'" and Hwy 5 showing single family homes. The viewshed through this area is consistent with character. The Fields has significant open space, try to preserve as you head north of the development and that the comer remains open. John Arkell, Stillwater Investment Co., said he met with the neighbors to the site and addressed their concerns. They expressed support of this development at the Planning Commission meeting. Two other land use options were submitted. He stated 0.9 dwelling units per acre was not enough, that he would need 1.4 dwelling units per acre. Council member DeLapp thought 0.9 units is a major concession for the Planning Commission compared to our cluster ordinance. Senior housing does belong in our downtown where there are services. He would rather have a road onto 50'h Street than Hwy 5. Council member Dunn stated the densities are in question. She appreciated how Mr. Arkell worked with the residents and liked how he preserved the open space and transplanted trees. Thanked Mr. Arkell for listening to the Council and coming in with better plans. Council member Siedow liked the 108-unit land use option with the open space along 50th and Hwy 5. Mayor Hunt also thanked Mr. Arkell for listening to the Council and looked at what fits into the area. He could live with 1.4 units per acre as addressed in one of the land use plans. There would be townhomes for seniors and emptynesters. Council member Armstrong thought the Planning Commission was very generous with 0.9 dwelling units per acre and, of the three -land use options presented, preferred Plan 2 with business in the corner. M/S/P Siedow/Hunt—to change the definition of Suburban Residential Development as the residential dwelling unit density of any newly developed or redeveloped SRD site shall not exceed 1.4 dwelling units per acre, for a total of 119. (Motion passed 3-2: Armstrong,DeLapp.) John Arkell pointed out if there is a "no" vote on the ordinance; he cannot submit an application for six months. The Council would be willing to hold a workshop to discuss density. M/S/P Siedow/Dunn — to direct staff to set up a workshop on February 23'd, 5 p.m., to discuss the density issue for Stillwater Investment Co. (Motion passed 5-0). M/S/P Dunn/Siedow —to postpone consideration of an agreement until the Council meets after the workshop. (Motion passed 5-0). 9. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT A. City's authority to regulate speed limits Attorney Filla indicated in his letter dated February 10, 2000, that the City does not have the authority to adjust the speed limit of 50'" Street without the consent of the Commissioner of Transportation. If the City can argue that the current condition of 50" Street makes it unsafe for traffic travelling at 5 mph, the Commissioner of Transportation might authorize an interim reduction in the speed limit. The City does have authority to adopt a 25-mph speed limit on residential roadways. Lake Elmo streets are not town roads located within rural residential districts. Mayor Hunt will continue to attend the meetings on speed limits with the surrounding communities and report back. 10. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: None LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 2000 6