HomeMy WebLinkAboutWildflower Sketch Plan THE CITY OF PARK COMMISSION
LAKE ELMO DATE: 3/17/14
AGENDA ITEM: IV.B—NEW BUSINESS
ITEM: Wildflower at Lake Elmo Sketch Plan Review
SUBMITTED BY: Nick Johnson, City Planner
REVIEWED BY: Kyle Klatt, Community Development Director
Dean Zuleger, City Administrator
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
The Park Commission is asked to review a Sketch Plan,Wildflower at Lake Elmo, submitted by
Robert Engstrom Companies, for a proposed 143 unit single family residential subdivision in the
northern portion of the Village Planning Area. The Park Commission is asked to review the plan to
provide direction on park and recreation facilities for the development.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As noted in the Sketch Plan Narrative, the applicants are proposing some type of conservancy in the
northern portion of the site. Planning for this amenity is very preliminary at this time, and it is still
not determined if there will be a public component. In addition to this natural preservation area,the
applicant is proposing to include multiple interior park-like courts within the residential
development. It is the City's understanding at this time that these lands will be private and HOA
maintained.
The proposed subdivision has yet to be presented to the Planning Commission or City Council.
However, in reviewing a Sketch Plan for a single family neighborhood proposed on the property to
the west,the Planning Commission requested that a small neighborhood park be incorporated into the
plan. In addition,they suggested that the small neighborhood park could be shared with the
Wildflower at Lake Elmo development. The Park Commission should consider if and where a
neighborhood park would be appropriate in for this proposed development.
Finally, it should also be noted that the City has engaged with discussion with the school district on
the possibility of entering a joint powers agreement(JPA) to make facilities at Lake Elmo
Elementary School open to the public as a shared City-School District facility. This facility does
have two smaller baseball diamonds, one soccer field and playground equipment. If the City entered
into a JPA with the school district, these facilities,which are in relative close proximity to the
proposed subdivision, could be made available to the public.
RECCOMENDATION:
Staff is recommending that the Park Commission provide guidance to the applicants in the form of a
formal motion.
NEW BUSINESS - ITEM IV.b
2
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Map
2. Sketch Plan Narrative
3. Wildflower at Lake Elmo Sketch Plan
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction.......................................................................................... City Planner
- Report by Staff..................................................................................... City Planner
- Questions from the Commission............................Chair&Commission Members
- Discussion by the Commission..............................Chair&Commission Members
NEW BUSINESS - ITEM IV.b
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Location Map: Wildflower at Lake Elmo
TI IE CITY OF
LAKE ELMO 12.029.21.32.0001
0 250 500 1,000 Feet
Wildflower at Lake Elmo
Data Scource: Washington County, MN 1"=500'
3-13-14
ROBERT ENGSTROM. COMPANIES
Bob Engstrom,3/6/2014
Wildflower
at Lake Elmo
Robert Engstrom Companies has acquired a•101-acre site. The site is located west of the
second phase of The Fields of St. Croix and in close proximity to the Old Village of Lake
Elmo.
Approximately 60 acres,when combined with an outlot from The Fields of St. Croix, will
be dedicated to Natural Habitat restoration and creation, along with surface water
management.
A preliminary site plan has been prepared which has structure that relates to the fabric of
the Old Village and embodies much of the Lake Elmo planning that has occurred in
recent years. There are four different types of residential housing products. �Sixty six lots
are approximately 60X115'in a Garden Court setting that has interior park-like features in
the center of the block, similar to our long-lasting Summit Place development in the
Cathedral Hill district of St. Paul. This product would have association- maintained'
exterior grounds and be attractive to empty nesters, baby-boomers, singles, and
others. Target price range is estimated at$300,000-375,000. Most of these homes face
the street,thereby providing an attractive streetscape. The second product is 80 and 90
foot wide lots by 135' and suitable for custom homes. A grouping of nine lots overlooks
a proposed wetland area and prairie. Another product is 10 high-value sites on the bluff
overlooking the Wildflower Conservancy. The last product is ten lots adjacent to Lake
Elmo Avenue and adjoining the Wildflower Conservancy. Hopefully,these homes will
.provide surveillance for the large natural area and maybe even discourage the deer.
All homes will strive to have distinctive architectural design and will be subject to
architectural approval by the developer. ,
Utilities
City water and sanitary sewer will be available to this site.
The preliminary site plan shows new surface water retention and treatment areas
on the adjacent farm field and retention areas on the lower level of the
conservancy. It is a goal to keep all storm'water on site. A wetland delineation
has been completed and subject to Barr Engineering review in the spring.
...RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS...
4801 West 81 st Street •Suite 101 •Minneapolis,Minnesota 55437
www.engstromco.com 0(952)893-1001 0 Fax(952)893-1841
ROBERT ENGSTROM- -COMPANIES .--
Wildflower is intended to capitalize on the national Healthy Communities movement.
The sidewalks and pathways will be convenient walking and biking opportunities. The
landscape philosophy is to include some bee and pollinator-friendly plants as part of each
homeowner's landscape. Public art might include distinctive benches, street signs,
mailboxes, and sculpture. Dark skies street and home lighting will be-friendly to
pollinators and people alike.
In 1,994, at Cloverdale Farm, we required, in the Declaration of Covenants, that the
homeowner maintain at least one-half of their 2 1/2 acre lot in natural
landscaping. Wildflower is adjoining the Old Village of Lake Elmo and has smaller lots '
with sanitary sewer and municipal water service. It is believed that requiring
homeowners to include some native plantings as part of their landscape plan in a new
residential development will be a"timely first"for Minnesota and,perhaps, nationwide.
Douglas Tallamy,the esteemed University of Delaware professor, and author of
"Bringing Nature Home" says that the bee/pollinator crisis will only be solved by
individuals planting native plants in their own yards.
Wildflower Center
A possible wildflower center that serves as a signature for the Wildflower
development,is located near the State Highway #5 entrance.
At present there is a three fold mission for the center which will be part of the
Wildflower Conservancy:
1. Demonstrate agricultural practices that can be compatible with native
pollinator habitat.
2. Serve as an educational resource for native plants for homeowners and
public officials.
3. Provide a gathering place for neighborhood and city social events. This is
consistent with National Healthy Community guidelines which encourage
a destination for walkers and bikers and also serves as a meeting place for
social interaction.
The organization and funding of the Wildflower-Conservancy are yet to be determined.
Details such as a farmers market facility are yet to be discussed.
...RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS...
4801 West 81 st Street•Suite 101 •Minneapolis,Minnesota 55437
www.engstromco.com 0 (952)893-1001 0 Fax(952)893-1841
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