HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ MINUTES 04-25-22/
City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of April 25, 2022
Commission Chair Risner called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Risner, Steil, Graen, Rehkamp, Vrieze
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Mueller
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Just & City Planner Hetzel
Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 PM
Approve Agenda:
M/S/P: Graen / Vrieze made a motion to approve the agenda. Vote: 5-0, motion carried unanimously.
Approve Minutes:
M/S/P: Graen/Vrieze moved to approve the Planning Commission minutes of April 11th, 2022. Vote: 5-0, motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearings:
None
New/Unfinished Business:
a. Comprehensive Plan Implementation in the Village Planning Area- Pedestrian Access and Design Standards and Draft Code Review.
The City of Lake Elmo 2040 Comprehensive Plan recommends the adoption of Overlay Districts in the Village Planning Area, generally following three sub-areas – the Old Village District,
the Elmo Station District, and the Civic District. The Overlay Districts should focus on what makes the areas unique and provide specific standards to promote the uniqueness and implement
the area specific recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan places a strong focus on improving pedestrian connections and access between all three districts
in the Village Planning Area. Vitality of the Old Village is dependent upon the increased residential density in the adjacent districts. Providing a more walkable and pedestrian friendly
experience will bring an important concentration of people to the Old Village, needed for the success of the businesses and growing its economic presence. Capitalizing on existing
pedestrian access and expanding pedestrian access to and in the area was a focus of discussion at the April 11 Planning Commission meeting. Chapter 6: Parks, Trails & Open Space provides
guidance for future pedestrian access. The majority of the Old Village District and a portion of the Civic District is designated as Village-Mixed Use according to the Comprehensive
Plan. Village-Mixed Use provides a mix of commercial/business and residential uses that benefit from proximity to each other. Future development should be designed in a manner to
enhance and preserve the historic character of Lake Elmo Avenue in the Old Village. There is opportunity to fill existing gaps with similarly scaled buildings that are consistent with
the key features of existing buildings. Also provided is a draft revision to the current Article XII Village Mixed-Use District with the addition of the Village Medium Density Residential
(VMDR) and Village High Density Residential (VHDR). Currently, there is no VMDR or VHDR district. VMDR and VHDR are required in order to develop the Elmo Station District.
City Planner Hetzel started the staff presentation summarizing the work done on the item at the last meeting and the focus of the work for this meeting.
Director Just asked for clarification from Commission Graen regarding his request for more new trails, and to mark up a map to show specific locations.
Director Just talked about the homework. Staff had requested that the commissioners mark up the use list the VMX district to indicate what is liked and not liked for the new V-MDR and
V-HDR districts and mark up Chapter 5 of the Lake Elmo Design Guidelines and Standards Manual (Chapter 5). Director Just asked for homework to be submitted by Monday 5/3.
Director Just went through the use table for the VMX district and discussed with commissioners what uses might be appropriate for the new V-MDR and V-HDR districts. The intent for the
V-MDR is medium density residential at 4-8 units per acre with single family attached and detached appropriate. The intent for the V-HDR district (of which there is only one parcel
in the city planned V-HDR) is for multi-family residential at 8-12 units per acre to provide high density housing near the Old Village, to bring vitality to the Old Village.
Director Just said that a draft of the new zoning district would be brought to the 5/9 PC meeting.
Communications/Updates
a. City Council Update
b. Staff Update
c. Upcoming PC Meetings:
May 9, 2022
May 23, 2022
Meeting adjourned at 8:31 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Wendt
Permit Technician