HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-21-23CITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cadenhead called the meeting to order at 7. 00 pm.
PRESENT: Mayor Charles Cadenhead and Councilmembers Katrina Beckstrom, Jeff Holtz and
Lisa McGinn. ABSENT: Councilmember Matt Him.
Staff present: Administrator Handt, City Attorney Sonsalla, City Engineer Griffin, Public Works
City Planner Jensen, Planning Consultant Fuerst and City Clerk Johnson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember McGinn, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ACCEPT MINUTES
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO ACCEPT THE
MINUTES OF THE FEBR UARY 15, FEBR UAR Y 21 AND MARCH 7, 2023 CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 — 0.
PUBLIC COMMENTSANQUIRIES
None
PRESENTATIONS
None
CONSENT AGENDA
2. Approve Payments and Disbursements
I Approve Hire of Administrative Services Director
4. Approve Sale of Excess and Retired Equipment
5. 9450 Hudson Development Agreement
6. Approve City Center/Public Works Pay Request # 14
7. Accept Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Improvements and Approve Security Reduction
for Union Park 2nd Addition
8. Accept Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Improvements and Approve Security Reduction
for Union Park West Addition
9. Approve Pay Request No. 8 for Water Tower No. 3
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 21, 2023
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember McGinn, moved TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 -0.
ITEM 10: 10755 50th Street CEF Solar Farm CUP
City Planner Jensen presented a revised conditional use permit application for a solar farm on the
property located at 10755 50th Street. The application was revised based on feedback received at
previous City Council meetings where concerns were raised regarding screening the project from
the road. Applicant Dan Grantier, CEF Solar, reviewed the revised landscaping and screening
plan.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO OPEN THE
PUBLIC HEARING. Motion passed 4 — 0.
Eric Clifford, 5040 Lake Elmo Avenue, spoke in support of the project and green energy.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember Beckstrom, moved TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING. Motion passed 4 — 0.
Discussion was held regarding the proposed screening, types of trees and possible addition of
fencing with trees to screen the solar farm from the road.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Mayor Cadenhead, moved TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
2023-021, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) AS REQUESTED BY CEF
LAKE ELMO COMMUNITY SOLAR, LL C FOR THE CONSTR UCTION AND
OPERATION OFA SOLAR FARM ON THE PROPERTY LOCA TED AT 10755 50TH
STREET N WITH THE LISTED CONDITIONS BASED ON THE FINDINGS LISTED IN
THE STAFFREPORT. Motion failed 2 — 2. (Beckstrom, McGinn — nay)
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO POSTPONE THE
CURRENT ITEM TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. Motion failed 2 — 2. (Beckstrom,
McGinn — nay)
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO POSTED TO THE NEXT
COUNCIL MEETING AND GIVE THE APPLICANT DIRECTION TO MAKE CHANGES
TO APPLICATION TO BETTER ADDRESS COUNCIL CONCERNS. Motion passed 4-0.
ITEM 11:_ Drake Motor Partners Preliminary PUD and Preliminary Plat
Nathan Fuerst, Consulting Planner, reviewed the proposed site layout, request for higher street
width to accommodate turning movements of large trucks, and the landscape/screening plan. Jon
Hauser, Drake Motor Partners, spoke on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Hauser noted the low
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 21, 2023
density of the areas to be platted and stated that the operations of a Tesla dealership are quiet and
low traffic. Tom Meyer, Landform, discussed the lighting plan and request to exceed the
maximum allowable footcandles in the interior portions of the lots for improved safety.
Discussion was held regarding screening for neighbors and requested signage.
Luke McClanahan, 197 Junco Rd., expressed appreciation for the additional efforts made by the
developer to address neighbors' concerns.
Chloe Yang, 193 Junco Rd., thanked the developer for adding fencing and plantings, and
suggested considering a higher fence until the plantings grow to maturity.
Theresa Kennedy, 173 Junco Rd., stated she appreciates the developer's efforts but is concerned
that the development will be visible from her back yard until the screening plantings are full
grown.
Dana Larson, 205 Junco Rd., suggested installing a berm to help with screening and wants the
tree coverage on the north side preserved.
Ann Marine Cimperman, 209 Junco Rd., expressed concern about light pollution and
effectiveness of screening due to site elevation.
Councilmember McGinn, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO ADOPT
RESOL UTION 2023-023 APPROVING THE PRELIMINARYPUD PLANAND
PRELIMINARY PLAT AS REQUESTED BY JON HA USER, DRAKE MOTOR PARTNERS
LE LLC BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS
OFAPPROVAL LISTED IN THE STAFFREPORT AND PLANSAS PROPOSED TO BE
MODIFIED BY THE APPLICANT DATED 311412023. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 12: Landucci Construction Preliminary PUD and Preliminary Plat
Nathan Fuerst, Consulting Planner, presented the land use analysis, PUD objectives, architectural
design, architectural design and recommendations from the Planning Commission and staff.
Discussion was held regarding parking concerns and pickleball courts.
Applicant Nathan Landucci commented on the HOA, home amenities, exterior finishes and
noted name change from the original proposed name.
Byron Nesheim, 4036 Monarch Ln., presented issues and concerns regarding lack of open space,
issues created by renters, lack of onsite management and noise from pickleball court.
Don Place, 4010 Monarch Ln., expressed concern regarding parking for visitors and stated he is
opposed to a sidewalk connecting the townhomes to the Wildflower neighborhood.
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 21, 2023
Roy Rueb, 11400 Sunflower Ln., commented against tree removal and expressed concern over
construction site cleanliness and success of the HOA.
Jolene Rauscher, 11465 Wildflower Dr., stated opposition to rental property, density, loss of
trees and lack of green space.
Joe Rauscher, 11465 Wildflower Dr., stated he would prefer a less dense neighborhood with
better quality that would fit in better with the Wildflower development.
Bob Engstrom, 5968 Grasslake Terrace, Minneapolis (Developer of Wildflower) expressed
concern over tree removal and stormwater and suggested connecting the townhome development
to the storm sewer in Wildflower.
Discussion was held regarding rental lease terms and parking.
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember McGinn, moved TO ADOPT RESOL UTION
2023-024 APPROVING THE PRELIMINAR Y PLA TAND PUD REQUESTED BY
LANDUCCI CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE SUBJECT PROPER TY BASED ON THE
FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OFAPPR0VAL LISTED IN
THE STAFF REPORT AND ADDITION OF CONDITIONS TO ADDRESS TREE
PRESER VA TIONAND VISITOR PARKING. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 13: Landscaping Requirements Top Soil Text Amendment
City Planner Jensen reviewed proposed updates to add language to the city's landscaping
requirements to ensure a consistent amount of high quality topsoil is used under seed or sod after
construction.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Mayor Cadenhead, moved TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO.
2023-06, AMENDING SECTION 105.12.480 LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS AS
PRESENTED. Motion passed 4 — 0.
Councilmember Holtz, seconded by Councilmember McGinn, moved TO ADOPT SUMMARY
PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE 2023-06 WITHAPPROVAL OF RESOL UTION 2023-
022. Motion passed 4 — 0.
ITEM 14: Planning Commission Appointment
Mayor Cadenhead, seconded by Councilmember Holtz, moved TO APPOINT MICHELLE
BOHLIG TO A TERM EXPIRINING 12131123 AND DENNIS GEFFRE TO A TERM
EXPIRING 12131114. Motion passed 4 — 0.
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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 21, 2023
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Cadenhead: Reported on hearing in the House of Representatives on HF 2304.
Councilmember Holtz: Reported on school district meetings.
STAFF REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Engineer Griffin: Reported on Parkview-Cardinal grant amendment and outlot easement.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 pm.
ATTEST:
Jul V
nson, Vierk
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor
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