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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNT , MINUTES DECEMBER 1, A. . Senior Pastor, Jerry Rouse, Lakewood Church, stated the PF ordinance is overly restrictive and very unfriendly to churches. Churches should be a permitted use and not allowed by a CUP. He asked how was the 15-acre limitation arrived at? Why wasn't it 3 or 50 acres? The PF ordinance prohibits churches in Lake Elmo. At a previous Planning Commission meeting, Planner Dillerud stated the ordinance would keep churches small and rural in nature. Ken Arneson, Lakewood Church, has a serious concern on where the ordinance is going. Churches have made many contributions, such as, childcare, colleges and universities, social programs, needs of children, etc. Since the new ordinance applies not only to churches, but also to school cemeteries, parks, libraries, and other governmental facilities, the Council should remember that these facilities are a viable part of any community and must be preserved. Pastor Bryan Latchaw, Parkview Community Church, stated their church already exists and could not expand under these regulations. He wants to continue being the gateway to the community. How does the parking lot regulation compare to the UBC? He has a concern about approval by a CUP and asked under what circumstance can a CUP be withdrawn? Pastor Dan Dennison, River Valley Christian Church, reminded the Council of the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which prohibits laws that interfere with the establishment and free exercise of religion. What is the church's role? The 15-acre maximum lot size restriction is discriminatory and should be eliminated. Pastor Dennison read Mayor Wyn John's speech at the October 27, 1996 grand opening of this church. Don Slinger, resident lives on Lake Elmo Avenue, stated the PF Ordinance requires glass, brick, stone — there is nothing wrong with having wood or aluminum. Churches are on restricted budgets. The ordinance would destroy service and prohibits the establishment of religion in the City. Attorney Filla stated that the City is not tying to tell churches what they can preach. The City does have a right to regulate land use. The issue is not about controlling churches, but about controlling land use. Council member Armstrong stated the Council does value churches, but the intent of the Council is only to maintain land use. Council member Steve DeLapp stated the PZ has worked on the PF ordinance for a long time, but did not have a chance to address the new information. The ordinance does not address the areas on water, small lots. He stated that the underlying impervious surface coverage in the RAD zone is in effect no more than 5% and in effect no more than 9% in RED. The church pastors were asked to each send a letter to the City letting them know exactly how the new PF ordinance would affect them and their future plans. M/S/P Armstrong/Johnston - to hold a joint workshop with the Planning Commission in mid -January to see how this PF ordinance would impact individuals and affect other buildings such as City Hall, maintenance building, parks, etc. and potential ramifications. Notice of the workshop will be sent to the Churches. (Motion passed 4-0). D. Comprehensive Plan — Amend Land Use — OP to RAD At its November 23, 1998 meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted a recommendation to amend the Land Use Plan Map of the Comprehensive Plan to reclassify all areas now OP (Open Space Development) to RAD (Rural Agricultural). The recommended amendment is responsive to prior direction in this regard from the Council Planner Dillerud explained that the map proposal before the Planning Commission included reclassification of certain areas from RED (Rural Estate) to RAD (Rural Agricultural). The Commission rejected this RED change, based on historic circumstances regarding the RED area related to future platting and street layout, and the relationship to existing 2.5-acre (RED) plats adjoining these parcels. The effect of this amendment LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 1998