HomeMy WebLinkAbout#04 - 8249 Demontreville Tr VarianceSTAFF REPORT
DATE: 9/07/2021 CONSENT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ken Roberts, Planning Director
AGENDA ITEM: Variance – Direct Access for a Place of Worship
REVIEWED BY: Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney
INTRODUCTION:
The City has received a request from Rev. John Burns of the Carmelite Hermitage for a variance from the City Code requirement about direct access for a place of worship. He is making this request
in order to eventually add a chapel to the Carmelite’s site located at 8249 Demontreville Trail. In this case, the applicant is asking for City approval for a variance as part of constructing a new driveway to provide access to their property. (Please see his letter, maps and attached plans for
more information about this request.)
BACKGROUND:
On December 3, 1991, the City Council approved a variance from the section of the City Code
about having frontage a public road for the Carmelite Monastery. The Carmelites made this
request so they could construct a building on their parcel (which does not have frontage on a public road).
On August 20, 2019, the City Council approved the requests of the Carmelites for a variance to the City standard requiring direct access for a place of worship and a conditional use permit for
the construction of a chapel on their property located 8249 Demontreville Trail.
On August 18, 2020, the City Council approved the extension of the CUP as contemplated by Condition No. 7 of the 2019 approval resolution and City Code § 154.106(K). Specifically, staff recommended the City Council approve a time extension that provided the Carmelites one year
after the resolution of both lawsuits to build their chapel.
On August 17, 2021, the City Council considered the Carmelites latest variance request to the City’s standard about having direct access to a collector or arterial street for a place of worship.
The City Council was supportive of this request but directed staff to revise the Resolution of approval to clarify that the proposed driveway would provide legal access for all the buildings on
the Carmelites property.
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ISSUE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL:
The City Council is being asked to review, consider and make a final determination about the above-mentioned variance request.
VARIANCE REQUEST DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Deadline for Action: Application Complete – 7/12/2021
60 Day Deadline – 9/11/2021 Extension Letter Mailed – N/A 120 Day Deadline – N/A
Applicable Regulations: Article V - Zoning Administration and Enforcement
Article XIV – Public and Semi-Public Districts
Variance Request: The Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary requests a variance from the direct access
requirement for places of worship as outlined in Section
154.600(B)(2) of the City Code.
Reason for Request. The reason for the variance request is to facilitate the construction of a chapel on the Carmelites property. The City Code requires places of worship (such as chapels and churches) to have “direct access” to a public street classified by the Comprehensive Plan as a major collector or arterial. The Carmelites property is land locked and does not have frontage on Demontreville Trail. The Comprehensive Plan classifies Demontreville Trail as a major collector street.
The applicants are proposing to construct a new 20-foot-wide bituminous driveway to the north and east of the existing driveway that now crosses the Jesuits property that provides access to the Carmelites facility. The proposed private driveway will provide access to the Carmelites property and facilities and should not interfere with the Jesuits use of their property. The Jesuits submitted a letter of support dated July 14, 2021 for the proposed location of the new driveway.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS/FINDINGS
An applicant must establish and demonstrate compliance with the variance criteria set forth in Lake Elmo City Code Section 154.109 before the City may grant an exception or modification to city code
requirements. These criteria are listed below, along with comments from Staff about the applicability of these criteria to the applicant’s request.
1) Practical Difficulties. A variance to the provision of this chapter may be granted by the
Board of Adjustment upon the application by the owner of the affected property where the strict enforcement of this chapter would cause practical difficulties because of circumstances
unique to the individual property under consideration and then only when it is demonstrated that such actions will be in keeping with the spirit and intent of this chapter. Definition of practical difficulties - “Practical difficulties” as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that the property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner
not permitted by an official control.
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FINDINGS: The addition of a chapel to Carmelites site has been planned since at least 1991 when the City first approved a Master Plan for their site. The Carmelites have been using the existing
driveway to Demontreville Trail for access to their site since that time. The proposed chapel is a reasonable additional use of the Carmelites facility and property and the addition of a new driveway to Demontreville Trail for access purposes solves their access needs.
2)Unique Circumstances. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not created by the landowner.
FINDINGS: According to the applicant, the existing lot layout with the access easement to Demontreville Trail has been in place since 1904. This is a unique situation with circumstances not
created by the landowner or the current land users – the Carmelite Monks.
3)Character of Locality. The proposed variance will not alter the essential character of thelocality in which the property in question is located.
FINDINGS: The proposed variance will allow the Carmelites to use the proposed driveway for
access for their facilities including the proposed chapel. By using the proposed driveway to Demontreville Trail, the Carmelites will not be altering the essential character of the locality (or area) in which their property is located.
4)Adjacent Properties and Traffic. The proposed variance will not impair an adequate
supply of light and air to properties adjacent to the property in question or substantiallyincrease the congestion of the public streets or substantially diminish or impair propertyvalues within the neighborhood.
FINDINGS. The proposed variance to allow the use of the proposed driveway for access for their
facilities and the proposed chapel. It will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to
properties adjacent to the subject property, increase congestion of public streets or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood. The expected traffic levels on
Demontreville Trail with the addition of the proposed chapel and the new driveway is expected to
remain about the same as it has been for the past ten years.
CITY ENGINEER REVIEW:
The applicant submitted to the City the proposed construction plans for the new driveway. The City Engineer reviewed the proposed plans and provided comments about them in his memo dated August
4, 2021. He noted that this driveway project will require a permit from the Valley Branch Watershed District and that he will need to approve the final construction plans before the applicant starts the project. This review will be to ensure the driveway can support emergency vehicles and fire apparatus and that drainage or run-off from the new driveway will be controlled and managed as it is
not permitted to flow into the Demontreville Trail roadway or right-of-way in any storm event.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REVIEW:
Dustin Kalis, the City Fire Chief provided planning staff with review comments about the proposed driveway plans. He noted that the driveway will need to meet the Fire Department requirements for
widths and turning radiuses and shall be constructed to support up to 75,000 pounds.
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STAFF UPDATE:
Based on the direction of the City Council during the meeting on August 17, 2021, City staff has
revised the resolution of approval to clarify that the proposed driveway will provide legal access
for all the buildings on the Carmelites property located at 8249 Demontreville Trail.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff has not found that the proposed variance will have any impact to the City.
OPTIONS:
The City Council may:
•Approve the proposed variance as requested.
•Approve the proposed variance with the recommended conditions.
•Deny the proposed variance, citing findings of fact for denial.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is recommending that the City Council approve, as part of the Consent Agenda, the revised Resolution of approval for the direct access variance request for the property located 8249 Demontreville Trail as outlined in this report. If the City Council removes this matter from the consent agenda, the recommended motion for the action is as follows:
“Move to adopt Resolution 2021 - 092, approving the request from Rev. John Burns of the Carmelite Hermitage for a variance (an exception) from the City’s requirement for direct access to a major collector or arterial street for a place of worship on the property located at 8249
Demontreville Trail. This approval shall be subject to the City Engineer and Fire Chief approving the final driveway construction plans, the applicant receiving a permit from the Valley Branch Watershed District before starting the construction of the new driveway and approves the use of the proposed driveway for all buildings on the Carmelites property (8249 Demontreville Trail).”
ATTACHMENTS:
1)Variance request narrative dated July 9, 2021 (5 pages)2)July 14, 2021 letter from the Jesuit Retreat House
3)Location Map4)Property Line Map5)Proposed driveway plans dated June 25, 2021 (18 pages)6)Fire Department Review dated July 20, 20217)Engineering Review comments dated August 4, 20218)Revised Resolution 2021 - 092
LA515-1-745000.v2
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON
COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO 2021 - 092
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE FROM THE CITY’S REQUIREMENT
REQUIRING A CHAPEL OR PLACE OF WORSHIP TO HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO A
COLLECTOR OR ARTERIAL STREET TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHAPEL
ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8249 DEMONTRVILLE TRAIL
WHEREAS, Reverend John Burns, representing the Carmelite Hermitage (the “Applicant”)
of 8249 Demontreville N, Lake Elmo MN 55042, Washington County, Minnesota (the “Property”)
has submitted an application to the City of Lake Elmo (the “City“) for a variance to the requirement in the
City Code that requires a chapel or place of worship to have direct access to a collector or arterial street for a chapel or place of worship; and
WHEREAS, the Property is landlocked but currently has access to Demontreville Trail via an existing driveway that is located in an easement that is located on an adjoining property that is owned by the Jesuit Retreat
House (the “Existing Driveway”); and
WHEREAS, Demontreville Trail is not an arterial or collector street; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, the Applicant applied for and received a conditional use permit from the City to construct a chapel on the Property which included the approval of a variance from the City’s requirement requiring a chapel or place of worship to have direct access to a collector or arterial street so that the chapel could use the Existing
Driveway to access Demontreville Trail instead of constructing a new access to an arterial or collector street; and
WHEREAS, the Jesuit Retreat House filed a lawsuit against the City and the Applicant with respect to the
City’s granting of the variance and the conditional use permit; and
WHEREAS, a settlement of the lawsuit was reached between the parties and as part of that settlement, the
Applicant and the Jesuit Retreat House have reached an agreement about the location, construction, and use of a new
proposed 20-foot-wide bituminous driveway that is partially located on the Jesuit Retreat House property that will allow the Property to access Demontreville Trail (the “New Driveway”); and
WHEREAS, because the New Driveway will be used instead of the Existing Driveway for access to the chapel and the Property via an easement over the Jesuit Retreat House property and the New Driveway connects the
Property to Demontreville Trail which is not a collector or arterial street, the Applicant is in need of a variance from
the City requirement that requires a chapel or place of worship to have direct access to a collector or arterial street;
and
WHEREAS, notice of the variance has been published , mailed, and posted pursuant to the Lake
Elmo Zoning Code, Section 154.109; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission held a public hearing about the variance on August 9, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission has submitted its report and recommendations
with respect to the requested variance to the City Council as part of the City Staff Memorandum dated
August 17, 2021; and
LA515-1-745000.v2
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the variance request at its August 17, 2021 meeting and directed City staff to bring back a revised Resolution of approval that clarifies that the New Driveway would be for legal access purposes not only for the planned chapel but for any other buildings and uses on the
Property; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered this revised Resolution at its September 7, 2021 meeting; and NOW, THEREFORE, based on the testimony elicited and information received, the City
Council makes the following findings and conclusions: FINDINGS 1) That the procedures for obtaining a variance are found in the Section 154.109 of the Lake Elmo
Zoning Code. 2) That the Applicant met all the variance application and submission requirements of Section 154.109 of the Lake Elmo Zoning Code.
3) That the proposed variance includes the following component: a) That the New Driveway will provide access to the Property from Demontreville Trail.
4) With respect to the proposed variance from the City’s requirement that for chapels or places of
worship that there must be direct access to an arterial or collector street, the strict enforcement of
this requirement will cause practical difficulties and the Applicant proposes to use the Property
in a reasonable manner not permitted by an official control.
The addition of a chapel to Property has been planned since at least 1991 when the City first
approved a Master Plan for the Property. The Applicant has been using the Existing
Driveway to Demontreville Trail for access to the Property even prior to that time. The
proposed chapel is a reasonable use of the Property given that it is permitted by conditional
use permit and a conditional use permit has been granted by the City. The addition of a new
driveway to Demontreville Trail for access purposes is reasonable given the fact that the
Existing Driveway also provides access to the Property via Demontreville Trail and not to
an arterial or collector street and this type of access has not been an issue.
5) With respect to the proposed variance from the City’s requirement that for chapels or places of worship that there must be direct access to an arterial or collector street, the plight of the Applicant is due to circumstances unique to the Property not created by the Applicant.
According to the Applicant, the existing lot layout with the access easement to Demontreville Trail has been in place since 1904, prior to the Applicant’s ownership of the Property. Therefore, this situation was not created by the Applicant. For the Applicant to be able to access the Property via an arterial or collector street, it would need to significantly re-route
the driveway due to the topography of the Property. The re-routing of the driveway would then cause it to go through a neighborhood.
6) With respect to the proposed variance, the proposed variance will not alter the essential character of the locality in which the Property is located.
The proposed variance will allow the Applicant to use the New Driveway for access to the Property and for the proposed chapel. The New Driveway will not be altering the essential character of the
LA515-1-745000.v2
locality (or area) in which the Property is located because the Property already uses the Existing Driveway to access Demontreville Trail, so only the location of the driveway is changing.. In the alternative, if the variance is not granted, access would need to go through a neighborhood which would alter the essential character of the neighborhood.
7) The proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to properties adjacent to the Property, increase congestion of public streets or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood.
The New Driveway will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to the properties adjacent to the Property as no structures are being constructed. It will also not increase congestion of the
public streets as the Existing Driveway already accesses Demontreville Trail. Also, the expected traffic levels on Demontreville Trail with the addition of the proposed chapel and the New Driveway is expected to remain about the same as it has been for the past ten years. The New Driveway will also not substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood as it will not go through the neighborhood.
CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION
1) Based on the above findings that show the Applicant has met all the City variance criteria with respect to the variance for having direct access to a collector or arterial street for a chapel or a place or worship, the City of Lake Elmo hereby approves the Applicant’s application for a variance or exception from the City standard requiring a place or worship or a chapel to have direct access to a collector or arterial street, subject to the following conditions: a) That the Applicant shall secure any required land use approvals, permits, and plan approvals from the City and other applicable jurisdictions for the construction of the chapel, the New
Driveway, and any associated site improvements.
b) That the Applicant revise the driveway construction plans for the New Driveway to meet the requirements of the City Engineer and City Fire Chief as noted in their project review comments.
The City Engineer and the City Fire Chief shall approve the final driveway construction plans
before the Applicant starts constructing the New Driveway.
c) That the Applicant secure all other necessary approvals and permits for the construction of the
New Driveway including a permit from the Watershed District.
d) That once completed, the New Driveway may be used as access for the chapel and any other
buildings or improvements on the Property, notwithstanding that the Applicant will be required to secure any required land use approvals, permits, and plan approvals from the City and other applicable jurisdictions for the construction of any other buildings or improvements on the Property.
Passed and duly adopted this 7th day of September, 2021 by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
_______________________________
Mayor Charles Cadenhead
ATTEST:
________________________________ Julie Johnson, City Clerk
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Land Use Application – Variance
Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9 July 2021
Property Location
All of Government Lot 4 in Section 9, Township 29 north, Range 21 west, City of Lake Elmo,
Washington County, Minnesota, according to government survey containing 59.4 acres of land.
Also the south 30.6 acres of Government Lot 4 in Section 4, and of the southwest quarter of the
southeast quarter of said Section 4, all in Township 29 north, Range 21 west, according to
government survey, being the south 688 feet thereof.
Detailed Reason for the Request
In 1954, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Saint Paul, a non-profit corporation under the laws
of the State of Minnesota, were looking for property upon which to build a permanent monastery.
They were advised of the property which they now own and entered into negotiations with the
owners of the property.
On 2 February 1954, Phillip C. Mackey and his wife Bernadine R. Mackey conveyed their
property, along with its easement, to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Saint Paul by warranty
deed, dated that day, and filed for record in Washington County, Minnesota, on 4 February 1954.
As part of their deed of purchase, they obtained a right of way across the neighboring property to
the north (owned by the Jesuit Retreat House) which gave them access to Demontreville Trail.
This right of way has existed since 1904. At the time that the Carmelite Nuns purchased their
property, the right of way across the Jesuit property was the only access from a public road to the
Carmelite property, and it remains the only access today. The Carmelite Nuns have used this
right of way continuously for 66 years.
In 1987 Carmel of the Blessed Virgin Mary (aka Carmelite Hermitage, Carmelite Hermitage
of the Blessed Virgin Mary) was incorporated in the State of Minnesota as a community of
Carmelite Priests and Brothers. In December of 1991, the City of Lake Elmo approved a master
plan for the Carmelite Hermitage consisting of four phases: Phase 1, consisting of a community
building and garage was constructed in 1991/92. Phase 2, consisting of a central courtyard with
covered walkways (cloister) was constructed in 2001/2002. Phase 3 consists of a chapel and is
the building we would now like to construct. Phase 4 will consist of a guest building and library.
We hope to commence Phase 4 around 2022. Additionally, in 1991 the City of Lake Elmo
granted a variance to the Carmelite Hermitage because the Hermitage also uses the easement
over Jesuit land to access Demontreville Trail. The Jesuit Retreat House made no objection to the
variance. The Carmelite Fathers and Brothers have used the easement continuously for 34 years.
In the intervening years, the Carmelite Hermitage has built four new buildings. In 2007, it
requested and received an amendment to its master plan to add an additional building. This
building was built in 2008. The Carmelite Hermitage was not asked to obtain a new variance for
any of these construction projects.
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In 2020, the Carmelite Hermitage applied for and received a CUP from the City of Lake Elmo to
construct a small chapel, shown as phase three on its master plan. An objection was raised by the
Jesuit Retreat House which maintained that the Carmelite Hermitage needed a new variance to
proceed with its chapel project because it does not meet the CUP requirements established by the
City in 2000 and amended in 2006. Since there was doubt about the scope and language of the
original variance granted to the Carmelite Hermitage, as well as doubt about the meaning of the
word direct in the City’s CUP requirements, City staff suggested that the Carmelite Hermitage
apply for a new variance which would clarify all issues related to access to our property. In a
spirit of cooperation, The Carmelite Hermitage agreed to apply for a new variance. The City
Council granted the variance in August 2020 as well as the CUP to build the chapel.
Because of the City Council’s approval of the variance and the CUP, the Jesuit Retreat House
sued the City of Lake Elmo, the Carmelite Hermitage, and the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. The
Carmelite Hermitage and the Discalced Carmelite Nuns reached an out-of-court settlement with
the Jesuit Retreat House on November 1, 2020. The Jesuit Retreat House agreed to give the two
Carmelite monasteries a new easement through its property, farther away from its retreat
buildings. In return, the Carmelite Hermitage agreed to relinquish its approved variance and
CUP, and to apply for a new variance and CUP based upon a new driveway to be built over the
new easement. It was agreed that the new driveway would be built before the new chapel was
commenced. It was further agreed that, once the the new driveway is built, the Discalced
Carmelite Nuns would relinquish their existing easement, and that all future traffic to the
Carmelite monasteries would utilize the new driveway. It was agreed, however, that for
emergencies, either road could be used by any institution or by first responders. Another clause
of the agreement states that the new driveway must built before construction on the new chapel
could begin. For this reason, the Carmelite Hermitage is now applying only for a variance for the
new driveway. It intends to apply for a new CUP in late fall or winter of 2021.
Variance Request, Practical Difficulties:
The Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary requests a variance from the direct
access requirement of Section 154.600(B)(2) of the City Code. It further requests that the
variance apply to all 90 acres of the property owned by the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of St. Paul
and that the variance apply to all buildings currently existing on the property as well as all
buildings shown on its approved master plan which remain to be built.
Strict enforcement of the City Code requiring direct access creates not only a practical
difficulty but a serious hardship in that we would be unable to complete our monastery as
planned and approved in 1991 by the City of Lake Elmo. In 1991, The City Council recognized
the hardship that existed with regard to access to our property, and the Council granted us a
variance at that time.
2.a.
Owner of Record
Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Saint Paul
8251 Demontreville Trail
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Lake Elmo, MN 55042
651-777-3882
Officers of the Corporation
Sr. Angela Barrett
Sr. Maravillas Schwab
Sr. Marie Siegmund
Applicant
Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
8249 Demontreville Trail
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
651-779-7351
carmelbvm@gmail.com
Officers of the Corporation
Reverend John Burns
Br. Joseph Bubanko
Br. Christopher Burnside
2.b.
Legal Description of the Property
All of Government Lot 4 in Section 9, Township 29 north, Range 21 west, City of Lake
Elmo, Washington County, Minnesota, according to government survey containing 59.4 acres of
land. Also the south 30.6 acres of Government Lot 4 in Section 4, and of the southwest quarter of
the southeast quarter of said section 4, all in Township 29 north, Range 21 west, according to
government survey, being the south 688 feet thereof.
PID
0902921120002
(Please note that the new driveway will pass over Jesuit property: PID 0402921340001)
Parcel Size
90.109 acres
3,924,760 square feet
Existing Use of the Land
Religious. Two religious communities reside on the property. The members of the communities
engage in a life of prayer, worship, gardening, arts, and crafts. The public is welcome to visit the
monasteries at suitable hours and to worship with them.
Current Zoning
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Public Facility (PF)
2.c.
Section 154.600(B)(2)a. “Direct access is provided to a public street classified by the
Comprehensive Plan as major collector or arterials.”
2.d.
The Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of St.
Paul intend to build a new driveway over land owned by the Disabled Carmelite Nuns and the
Jesuit Retreat House and terminating on Demontreville Trail which is a major collector street.
The Carmelite monasteries request a variance from the direct access requirement of Section
154.600(B)(2) of the City Code. It further requests that the variance apply to all 90 acres of the
property owned by the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of St. Paul and that the variance apply to all
buildings currently existing on the property as well as all buildings shown on its master plan
which remain to be built.
2.e.
In December of 1991, the City of Lake Elmo approved the master plan of the Carmelite
Hermitage consisting of four phases: Phase 1, consisting of a community building and garage
was constructed in 1991/92. Phase 2, consisting of a central court yard with covered walkways
(cloister) was constructed in 2001/2002. Phase 3 consists of a chapel and is the building we
would now like to construct. Phase 4 will consist of a guest building and library. Additionally,
the City of Lake Elmo granted a variance to the Carmelite Hermitage in 1991 since the
Hermitage also used the easement over Jesuit land to access Demontreville Trail. The Jesuit
Retreat House made no objection to the variance.
When the Carmelite Hermitage applied in 2019 for a CUP in order to build a chapel (phase 3
of its master plan), an attorney for the Jesuit Retreat House sent a letter to the City Attorney
contending that the variance of 1991 is not valid for the construction of the chapel because the
CUP code enacted by the City in 2000 and amended in 2006 requires direct access to a collector
road or major arterials. The City Attorney stated that an argument can be made that the Carmelite
Hermitage do not have direct access. Furthermore the City Attorney contended that the 1991
variance applied only to the building which we built in 1991. We disputed this interpretation
because it contradicted the practice of the City to date. We have built several buildings since
1991, including one in 2007 which required an amendment to our master plan, and in none of
these cases did the City require a new variance. Nevertheless, we have agreed to apply for a new
variance in order to clarify all issues related to access to our property.
2.f.
The circumstances of our property are quite unique in that the property has never bordered a
public road since it was divided from the property to the north of it in 1904. At that time, an
unrestricted easement through the northern property was given in order that the southern
property could have access to Demontreville Trail. The Discalced Carmelite Nuns received this
easement as part of their deed of purchase.
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In 2011 the Carmelite nuns acquired three small lots that border their property as well as
Hidden Bay Trail. The lots are undeveloped and have no driveways into them. Hidden Bay Trail
is not a collector road or major arterial street. It is not suitable as an access road to our property.
Strict enforcement of the City Code requiring direct access creates not only a practical
difficulty but a serious hardship in that we would be unable to complete our monastery as
planned and as approved by the City of Lake Elmo in 1991.
2.g.
Our plight was in no way created by ourselves; it is rather the result of the division of the
property in 1904. Our circumstances were recognized as unique by the City Council in 1991, and
for this reason the Council granted us a variance.
2.h.
Granting a variance will in no way alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The only
change to the existing neighborhood will be the addition of a new driveway onto Demontreville
Trail a few hundred feet east of the existing driveway to the Jesuit Retreat House. The new
driveway will enter Demontreville Trail at a point which is removed from other existing
driveways and with good visibility in both directions. This section of of Demontreville Trail
contains only a few homes with very large lot sizes. There will be no disturbance to neighbors.
Traffic to the monasteries will remain more or less as it has been in the past ten years.
LOCATION MAP
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-COVR
0.1
CITY DETAILS
EROSION CONTROL PLANGRADING PLANLEGENDCOVERSHEET INDEX0.10.21.1-1.32.1-2.3
9.1
CARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
FINAL GRADING UTILITY & STREET CONSTRUCTION PLAN
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
COVER
SEEDING PLAN3.1
GRADING DETAILS5.1-5.2
STORM SEWER CONSTRUCTION7.1 DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION8.1-8.3
I hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
SWPPP4.1
WALKING PATH CONSTRUCTION6.1
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-LGND
0.2LEGENDI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-GRAD
1.1GRADING PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-GRAD
1.2GRADING PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-GRAD
1.3GRADING PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
LEGEND
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-EROS
2.1EROSION CONTROL PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
LEGEND
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-EROS
2.2EROSION CONTROL PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
LEGEND
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-EROS
2.3EROSION CONTROL PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-SEED
3.1SEEDING PLANI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that Iam a duly Licensed Professional Engineerunder the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 551202422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-SWPPP
4.1STORMWATER POLLUTION
PREVENTION PLAN
I hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-GRAD-DTLS
5.1GRADING DETAILSI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-GRAD-DTLS
5.2GRADING DETAILSI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-WALK
6.1WALKING PATH CONSTRUCTIONI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that Iam a duly Licensed Professional Engineerunder the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 551202422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
III
III
III
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-STRM
7.1STORM SEWER CONSTRUCTIONI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-ROAD
8.1DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTIONI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-ROAD
8.2DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTIONI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-ROAD
8.3DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTIONI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
00-ENG-120111-SHEET-DTLS
9.1DETAILSI hereby certify that this plan was prepared by
me or under my direct supervision and that I
am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer
under the laws of the State of Minnesota
c
18OFCARMELITE MONASTERY DRIVEWAY
LAKE ELMO, MINNESOTA
06-25-2021
PJC
MSN
Name
Reg. No.Date
Revisions Date
Designed
Drawn
2021 Pioneer Engineering, P.A.
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
2422 Enterprise Drive (651) 681-1914
Fax: 681-9488www.pioneereng.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSLAND SURVEYORSLAND PLANNERSCIVIL ENGINEERS
06-25-2021
CARMELITE HERMITAGE
8249 DEMONTREVILLE TRAIL NORTH19860
Paul J. Cherne
LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
“Proudly Serving Neighbors & Friends”
Lake Elmo Fire Department
Memorandum
To: Ken Roberts, Planning Director
From: Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief
Date: 7/20/2021
Re: Land Use Review – Variance Request - Carmelite Hermitage, 8249 Demontreville Trail
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The Lake Elmo Fire Department has completed a land use review of Carmelite Hermitage, 8249 Demontreville
Trail based on the Lake Elmo Planning Department packet dated 7/15/21 with the following comments:
1) All roads and drive lanes shall meet the Lake Elmo Fire Department requirements for widths and turning
radiuses.
2) The approved fire apparatus access road shall be constructed with an asphalt, concrete or other approved
driving surface capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing up to 75,000 pounds.
3) An approved fire apparatus turnaround shall be constructed at the end of the road if the road is a dead end.
Proper fire apparatus turnaround shall be maintained if using existing drive or parking areas at the end of the
new driveway.
4) The installation and use of gates shall be in compliance with the fire code. If a gate(s) is to be installed,
provide more detailed information for review.
5) Building address numbers shall be plainly visible from the street fronting the property and shall contrasting
color from the background.
Codes and Standards Used for this Review
This review is based on the following codes and standards as adopted and in effect in the State of Minnesota
at the time of plan submittal.
2020 Minnesota State Fire Code
PAGE 1 of 2
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 2021
To: Ken Roberts, Planning Director Re: Carmelite Monastery Driveway
Cc: Marty Powers, Public Works Director Engineering Construction Plan Review
Chad Isakson, Assistant City Engineer
From: Jack Griffin, P.E., City Engineer
An engineering review has been completed for the Carmelite Monastery Driveway Construction Plans to extend
from Demontreville Trail. The submittal consisted of the following documentation received on July 12, 2021:
Carmelite Monastery Driveway Construction Plans dated June 25, 2021.
No Stormwater Management Plan was provided.
STATUS/FINDINGS: Engineering review comments have been provided for the above referenced Construction
Plans. When submitting revised plans and specifications, please provide a point‐by‐point response letter that
details all changes made to the plans.
FINAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS
1. Access to DeMontreville Trail North. The proposed driveway connects to DeMontreville Trail a distance of
approximately 650 feet north of the Jesuit Driveway Access. The location of the proposed access must be
referenced on the plans with the spacing dimensions listed from the adjacent existing driveways in both
directions.
2. The proposed driveway is proposed with a 20‐foot bituminous width and 2‐foot gravel shoulders.
3. At the connection point to DeMontreville Trail, the proposed driveway appears to be designed to collect
and divert runoff to proposed infiltration basins (Area 200P and Area 250P) on either side of the driveway.
The design and construction of the driveway must be verified that runoff from the driveway is not
permitted to flow into the DeMontreville Trail roadway or right‐of‐way for any storm event.
4. Revise plans to clearly show all property lines, right‐of‐way and easements.
5. Sheet 0.1. Add plan note to identify the standard of care guideline for the collection and depiction of
existing subsurface utility data per CI/ASCE 38‐02.
6. Sheet 1.1 – 1.3. Add culvert pipe size, material, and invert for all proposed and existing culverts.
7. Sheet 1.1 – 1.3. Add the 100‐year HWL elevation and contour for all proposed infiltration basins. Add
emergency overflow elevations and flow paths.
8. Sheet 1.1 – 1.3. Add proposed drainage and utility easements for each infiltration basin, incorporating the
100‐year HWL elevation and contour, and maintenance access routes to all drainage structures.
9. Sheet 1.1. Revise grading plan to eliminate infiltration basin encroachments for areas 200P and 250P from
the DeMontreville Trail right‐of‐way. Revise plans as needed to ensure the EOF flow path from 200P and
250P remain outside of the public right‐of‐way.
FOCUS ENGINEERING, inc.
Cara Geheren, P.E. 651.300.4261
Jack Griffin, P.E. 651.300.4264
Ryan Stempski, P.E. 651.300.4267
Chad Isakson, P.E. 651.300.4283
PAGE 2 of 2
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
1. The proposed grading and driveway construction is subject to a storm water management plan meeting
State, Watershed District and City rules. Permits will be required from the Valley Branch Watershed
District and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
2. No Stormwater Management Plan was submitted for city review. Approval of the plans must be
conditioned on the applicant submitting a Storm Water Management Report and storm sewer
calculations supporting the proposed design and consistent with all city and watershed rules.
3. All storm sewer proposed for the work will remain privately owned. A Stormwater Easement and
Maintenance Agreement in the city’s standard form will be required for the private owned storm water
management system.