HomeMy WebLinkAbout#10 - Comp Plan Amendment - City Ownerd Property1
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 06/02/2020
REGULAR
TO: City Council
FROM: Ken Roberts, Planning Director
AGENDA ITEM: Comprehensive Plan Amendments – MUSA Boundary Change, Update
to City’s Wastewater Facilities and Land Use Plans – City-Owned
Property (County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue)
Sanitary Sewer Service Area Extension and Re-guidance to BP (Business
Park)
REVIEWED BY: Ben Prchal, City Planner
Jack Griffin, City Engineer
BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2020, the City Council reviewed and discussed three concept plans and potential land uses
for the 180 acres of city-owned property located at County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue. This is land the
City received from 3M in 2019 as part of the legal settlement. From this review and discussion, it was the
consensus of the City Council that:
o The area south of County Road 14 (old Highway 5) be planned for Business Park/Warehouse land
uses.
o The area north of County Road 14 should have a variety of land uses and that Concept A was the
plan that came closest at this point in the planning process to accurately reflect those potential land
uses. While reviewing Concept Plan A, the Council discussed the proposed location of the ball fields,
the potential City Hall site, the access road from Ideal Avenue, the inclusion of low-density housing
and the need for storm water ponding in that area.
o The City should reach-out to nearby property owners to give them the opportunity to provide their
comments and input about the land uses for the area north of County Road 14. In response to that
directive, staff sent public meeting notices to 70 nearby property owners (those to the north and east)
about the land use planning for the area and inviting them to the March 9, 2020 Planning
Commission meeting.
The Planning Commission reviewed these items during their meeting on March 9, 2020. The Commission
took comments from nearby property owners about Concept A and discussed the land uses they thought
would best fit in this part of Lake Elmo.
The direction of the City Council to City staff is for the City to amend the Comprehensive Plan for the area
south of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue (approximately 65 acres) from RAD (Rural Area
Development) to BP (business park) to accommodate a possible office warehouse development similar to
what is shown on Concept Plan A. (Please see the attached maps showing this area). The goal of the City
Council is to get as much of this property on the tax rolls with development in a style or form similar to the
office-warehouse plan shown on Concept A.
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These properties in Lake Elmo do not currently have access to municipal sanitary sewer and all existing
developed parcels in the area are now served by on-site sanitary sewer (septic) systems. The Concept Plans
being considered by the City are likely only achievable if the land areas are served by municipal sanitary
sewer that will allow for the intended development use and densities. To serve this area with municipal
sanitary sewer to support this type of development, the City will need to develop a plan for extending
sanitary sewer service to the property. Once the sewer plan is known, the City will need to amend the
MUSA (Metropolitan Urban Service Area) boundary and associated maps and tables in the Wastewater
Services Chapter (Chapter 9) of the Comprehensive Plan.
These land use and sewer plan changes, however, require City Council and Metropolitan Council approval
of several changes to the recently adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The changes are required because
this part of Lake Elmo is not included in the MUSA nor had the City included this area in the Wastewater
calculations in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The proposed comprehensive plan amendments require a
4/5th affirmative vote by the City Council and approval by the Metropolitan Council. (Please see the
attached maps and tables for more information about the proposed changes).
The Planning Commission held a public hearing about these Comprehensive Plan Amendments on May 11,
2020. After some discussion, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed
amendments and changes.
ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL:
Should the City amend the land use plan to BP and change the MUSA Boundary and other relevant sections
and elements of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the 65 acres of City-owned property located south of
County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Amendment to Land Use Plan. The direction of the City Council was for the City to re-guide (change
the land use designation) of the aforementioned City-owned property south of County Road 14 from RAD
(rural area development) to BP (business park). This is because the RAD land use designation is for areas
not in the MUSA while the 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies BP as “providing for a wide variety of
professional businesses such as medical and research facilities, offices and corporate headquarters. Retail
sales of goods and services are allowable uses by conditional use permit provided such uses are goods and
services for employees of the permitted business use. This land use designation excludes any residential
use.” Such a land use plan change is necessary to accommodate an office warehouse development as
shown on the concept plans for the area south of County Road 14.
The area to west of the site across Ideal Avenue in Oakdale includes a Target Store and residential
properties south of the existing railroad tracks.
Amendment to the MUSA Boundary. The MUSA Boundaries for the sanitary sewer service areas in the
City of Lake Elmo are depicted on the maps on Pages 3-11 (Map 3-2), 3-17 (Map 3-3), 3-24 (Map 3-7) and
9-5 (Map 9-1) of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. (Please see the attached maps.) The City-owned property
known as the former 3M property located at the intersection of County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue is not now
included in the MUSA in the City. As noted above, the City needs to change the MUSA boundary on all
relevant maps in the Comprehensive Plan to include the City-owned property as part of the Comprehensive
Plan Amendment in order for it to be eligible to have municipal the sanitary sewer to serve it when it develops.
Amendment to Wastewater Services and Facilities Plan. The City also will need to amend the Wastewater
Services and Facilities Plan in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to accommodate sewered-development on this
site. The City has not studied in any detail the feasibility or methods to serve this property with sanitary
sewer. As part of a sanitary sewer feasibility study, the City Council would need to determine the scope and
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size of a sanitary sewer study area and staff would need to review the sewering options that may be available
to extend sanitary sewer service for the 65 acres (and possibly other properties). Such a study would need to
determine how to serve the area with sanitary sewer and if the sanitary system can accommodate these
additional properties on the system.
As part of the amendment process, the City will need to amend several tables in the existing Comprehensive
Plan to show the additional properties connected to the sanitary sewer system. They include Table 3-2 (Page
3-16), Table 3-5 (page 3-22), Table 3-6 (Page 3-25), Table 9-2 (page 9-8), Tables 9-3 and 9-4 (on page 9-9)
and Table 9-5 (on page 9-10). The City cannot finalize any of the necessary amendments to these tables until
more study and analysis of the sanitary sewer system and of the potential development and land uses is
completed. City staff has not started a sewer study for this area and staff would want direction from the City
Council about the goals, size and scope of the sanitary sewer study before proceeding with it.
The purpose for including these maps and tables with this report is to show the City Council all the pages
and elements of the Comprehensive Plan that need changing if the requested land use plan change for the 65
acres of City-owned land is to go forward. All these changes and updates will need to be finalized and
approved by the City Council before the City may submit the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to
the Metropolitan Council.
The decision to change or amend the Comprehensive Plan is a policy matter for the Planning Commission
to make a recommendation on to the City Council. The City should base any change to the Comprehensive
Plan on findings and criteria to show that the change would be consistent with the goals and policies of the
City. Such criteria may include that proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment would be consistent with
the spirit and intent of the Comprehensive Plan and it would be beneficial to existing and future residents
by providing another location for commercial or business park development on a site with access on an
arterial roadway.
Zoning Map Amendment. If the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment is approved, the City will
need to rezone property during Preliminary Plat/PUD approval. The area to the south of the subject parcel
includes parcels that are guided RR (rural residential) and RE (residential estate). The parcels to the east
are guided LB (limited business) which includes Animal Inn and their associated properties. The LB
designation is for areas that are developed with commercial uses that are not served by urban services.
Staff would recommend that the City rezone the City-owned property to BP at the time of development
review to be consistent with the proposed (and approved) BP land use designation.
Recommended Findings – Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Staff recommends the following findings:
1. That the City Council has submitted a request to the City of Lake Elmo to amend the Comprehensive
Plan in accordance with the procedures as established by the Lake Elmo Planning Department and the
Lake Elmo City Code; and
2. That the request is to amend the Land Use Plan Map for the 65 acres of City-owned land located on the
south side of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue from RAD (rural area development) to BP
(business park); and
3. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Lake Elmo
Comprehensive Plan by providing an additional site for commercial and business park development;
and
4. That the City believes the proposed BP land use designation is the highest and best use of the property;
and
5. That the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment would be beneficial by providing another location
for a business park on an arterial street not currently available in Lake Elmo.
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Staff recommends the following condition of approval:
1. Submission of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the Metropolitan Council and the receipt of
formal notification from the Metropolitan Council that they have reviewed and approved the proposed
amendment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City has not yet determined how to provide sanitary sewer service to this area of Lake Elmo. As part of
any feasibility study for the sanitary sewer, the City would review design and funding options and determine
how to pay for the sewer project. This might include assessing the full cost (100%) of the sanitary sewer
extension project to all the benefitting properties. Any additional properties that would be added to the City
sanitary sewer system also will generate additional Sewer Access Charge (SAC) fees to the Sanitary Sewer
Enterprise Fund.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval of an amendment to the Land Use Plan of the
Comprehensive Plan, re-guiding the aforementioned City-owned property from RAD (Rural Area
Development) to BP (business park), based on the recommended findings and condition of approval.
“Motion to adopt Resolution 2020 – 060 approving the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment re-
guiding on the City’s Land Use Plan the 65 acres of City-owned land located south of County Road 14
and east of Ideal Avenue from RAD (Rural Area Development) to BP (business park), based on the
recommended findings and condition of approval.”
Additionally, Staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval of any necessary amendments to
the Land Use Plan and to the Wastewater Services and Facilities Plan of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan by
adding the 65 acres of City-owned property on the south side of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue
to the City’s sanitary sewer area.
“Motion to adopt Resolution 2020 – 061 approving all necessary amendments to the 2040 Lake Elmo
Comprehensive Plan (including those to the Land Use Plan, MUSA boundaries and to Wastewater
Services Plan) to add the 65 acres of City owned land located south of County Road 14 and east of Ideal
Avenue to the City’s sanitary sewer area and authorize City staff submitting the proposed
Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the Metropolitan Council.”
City staff is recommending these changes based on the findings listed in the staff report and is subject to
the condition listed in the staff report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Location Map
Property Line Map
City Land Use Concept Plan A
Comprehensive Plan Pages (Maps and Tables):
Page 3-11 (Map 3-2)
Page 3-17 (Map 3-3)
Page 3-24 (Map 3-7)
Page 3-16 (Table 3-2)
Page 3-22 (Table 3-5)
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Page 3-25 (Table 3-6)
Page 9-5 (Map 9-1)
Page 9-8 (Table 9-2)
Page 9-9 (Tables 9-3 and 9-4)
Page 9-10 (Table 9-5)
Page 3-17 (Map 3-3) Proposed Land Use Map Amendment from RAD to BP
Resolution 2020 – 060 approving amendment to the Land Use Plan Map (RAD to BP)
Resolution 2020 – 061 approving amendments to the MUSA Boundaries and Wastewater Services Elements
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-060
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO
COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN REGUIDING APPROXIMATELY 65 ACRES OF CITY-
OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT COUNTY ROAD 14 AND IDEAL AVENUE FROM RURAL
AREA DEVELOPMENT (RAD) TO BUSINESS PARK (BP) LAND USE DESIGNATION
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo is a municipal corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo has established a Comprehensive Plan that includes
background data, policy statements, standards, and maps that help to guide the future physical,
social, and economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Land Use Plan has currently guided the 65 acres of City-owned
property located at the intersection of County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue RAD (rural area
development); and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan describes the rural area development
land use designation as inclusive of large-lot rural single-family detached residential uses and
future conventional subdivisions and is for areas not within MUSA planning areas; and
WHEREAS, the City Council directed City-staff to process a Comprehensive Plan
Amendment and a Land Use Plan change from RAD (rural area development) to BP (business
park) for the 65 acres of City-owned property located at the intersection of County Road 14 and
Ideal Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the notice to re-guide the 65 acres of City-owned property located at County
Road 14 and Ideal Avenue has been published, mailed, and posted pursuant to the Lake Elmo City
Code and MN State Statute 473.858; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission held a public hearing on the matter on
May 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission has submitted its recommendation of
approval to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the said matter at its June 2, 2020 meeting; and
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the testimony elicited and the information received, the
City makes the following findings:
Findings
1. That the City Council has submitted a request to the City of Lake Elmo to amend the
Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the procedures as established by the Lake Elmo
Planning Department and the Lake Elmo City Code; and
2. That the request is to amend the Land Use Plan Map for the 65 acres of City-owned land
located on the south side of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue from RAD (rural area
development) to BP (business park); and
3. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Lake
Elmo Comprehensive Plan by providing an additional site for commercial and business park
development; and
4. That the City believes the proposed BP land use designation is the highest and best use of the
property; and
5. That the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment would be beneficial by providing
another location for a business park on an arterial street not currently available in Lake Elmo.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that based on the foregoing, the Lake Elmo City
Council does hereby approve the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Amendment, amending the
City’s Land Use Plan by re-guiding the 65 acres of City-owned property located at the intersection
of County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue from Rural Area Development (RAD) to Business Park
(BP) and authorize City staff to submit all the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the
Metropolitan Council for review, subject to and contingent upon the following:
1. The Metropolitan Council’s approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
This resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo on this 2nd day of June,
2020.
_____________________________
Mike Pearson, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Julie Johnson, City Clerk
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2020- 061
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TEXT AND MAPS INCLUDING AMENDING THE MUSA
BOUNDARY TO INCLUDE THE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT COUNTY ROAD
14 AND IDEAL AVENUE AND AMENDING THE WASTEWATER SERVICES PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo is a municipal corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, The City of Lake Elmo has established a Comprehensive Plan that includes
background data, policy statements, standards, and maps that help to guide the future physical,
social, and economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council directed City staff to prepare a Comprehensive Plan
Amendment for the approximately 65 acres of City-owned property located south of County Road
14 and east of Ideal Avenue: and
WHEREAS, the proposed land use change would be from RAD (rural area
development) to BP (business park); and
WHEREAS, the development of the site consistent with the proposed land use change
will require the extension of municipal services (sanitary sewer and water) to the property;
and
WHEREAS, the extension of sanitary sewer to the City-owned property located at County
Road 14 and Ideal Avenue requires amendments to the Metropolitan Urban Services Area (MUSA)
boundary, the Wastewater Services and Facilities Plan and to the land use map in the Lake Elmo
Comprehensive Plan;
WHEREAS, the City has prepared a map of the proposed MUSA expansion showing the
affected properties to be added to the MUSA of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City will need to prepare amendments to the Wastewater Services and
Facilities Plan and to the Land Use Map that reflect the addition of the 65 acres of land to the
sanitary sewer service area in Lake Elmo; and
WHEREAS, the notice has been published, mailed and posted pursuant to the Lake Elmo
Zoning Ordinance, Section 154.109, and MN State Statute 473.858; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission held a public hearing about the
proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments on May 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission has submitted its recommendation of
approval of the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the said matter at its June 2, 2020 meeting; and
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the testimony elicited and the information received, the
City makes the following:
Findings
1. That the City Council has submitted a request to the City of Lake Elmo to amend the
Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the procedures as established by the Lake Elmo
Planning Department and the Lake Elmo City Code; and
2. That the request is to amend the Land Use Plan Map for the 65 acres of City-owned land
located on the south side of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue from RAD (rural area
development) to BP (business park); and
3. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Lake
Elmo Comprehensive Plan by providing an additional site for commercial and business park
development; and
4. That the City believes the proposed BP land use designation is the highest and best use of the
property; and
5. That the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment would be beneficial by providing
another location for a business park on an arterial street not currently available in Lake Elmo.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that based on the foregoing, the Lake Elmo City
Council does hereby approve the necessary Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Amendments for the
65 acres of City-owned property located at County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue including the
expansion the MUSA and amending the Wastewater Services Plan, subject to and authorize City
staff to submit all the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the Metropolitan Council for
review, subject to and contingent upon the following:
1. The Metropolitan Council’s approval of the Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment.
This Resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo on this ____ day of
__________, 2020.
_____________________________
Mike Pearson, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Julie Johnson, City Clerk