HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-068CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2022-068
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON 38 ACRES AT
4452 LAKE ELMOAVE
WHEREAS, the City desires to support projects in its community that protect its natural features
quality of life, and
WHEREAS, protection of water is essential to our health and well being; and
WHEREAS, having adequate natural holding capacity for water is good planning that assists in
flooding prevention, soil retention, improved water quality and efficient aquifer recharge; and
WHEREAS, having adequate ecological corridors to allow wildlife to move, flourish and remain
in our midst is of inherent value; and
WHEREAS, this parcel is identified as part of a Minnesota Land Cover Classification System
regional ecological corridor and adjacent to Regionally Signficant Ecological Areas- and
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WHEREAS, this parcel contains natural features *Including deciduous forest, vernal pools,
wetlands and over 1,000 feet of shoreline on, a small unnamed lake; and
WHEREAS, this property contains natural habitat, is used f6r tree farming and has very little
impervious surface or tilled area, making it an important parcel for local water quality; and
WHEREAS, the City has been approached by private landowners who would. like to protect 38
acres at 4452 Lake Elmo Avenue N., Lake Elmo, to assure it remains naturally intact for current
and future generations; and
WHEREAS, the landowners would like to obtain the City's support in proceeding to be able to
complete the project with the necessary partners; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Land Trust has reviewed theDrODerty in detail and signaled its
property interest in protecting the area with a permanent conservation easement; and
WHEREAS, the permanent conservation easement will allow the property owner to grant a 40
foot wide utility easement in the northwesterly portion of the property to the City of Lake Elmo.
If a utility easement is pursued, its terms and conditions will begin with negotations between the
Landowners and the City and be consistent with the terms and conditions of the conservation
easement; and
WHEREAS, the utility easement corridor was selected to be in an area without wetlands, native
plant communities, or cultural sites. The area is dominated by planted conifers that are a part of
the Owner's tree farm. It is also adjacent to a proposed building envelope in the northwestern
corner of the property to be protected by a Conservation Easement, consolidating the impacts of
permitted development into a smaller portion of the Protected Property. The Land Trust
acknowledges that said utility easement, if granted, would provide utility service to adjacent
properties not protected by the Conservation Easement and would provide access rights only to
the City to service any utilities that would be installed within the corridor.
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council signals its support for placement of a
conservation easement over the property located at 4452 Lake Elmo Avenue N., Lake Elmo,
Valley Branch Watershed District (Parcel IDS: 11.029.21.41.0005) with the proposed Utility
Easement Area, as described above, to be held by the Minnesota Land Trust and Washington
County.
ADOPTED BY THE LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ON THE 19"' DAY OF JULY, 2022.
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
(Seal)
ATTEST:
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