HomeMy WebLinkAbout#12 - North Star Comprehensive Plan Amendment1
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 10/3/2023
MOTION
TO: City Council
FROM: Nathan Fuerst, Consultant Planner
AGENDA ITEM: Comprehensive Plan Amendment for North Star MUSA Phasing
BACKGROUND:
The unaddressed subject property is located northwest of the intersection of Stillwater Boulevard North
and Lake Elmo Avenue North. The Applicant is proposing an amendment to Map 3-7, the MUSA Growth
& Phasing Plan in the City’s adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
On August 15th, 2023, the Lake Elmo City Council approved the Final Plat and PUD for the North Star
development. North Star is a 200-unit single family residential development which will create necessary
connectivity with public utilities including water, sewer, roadways, trails, and sidewalks in surrounding
contiguous development. To serve North Star with public utilities, the Developer was required to bring in
utilities to serve their units at their own cost. This includes bringing sewer from south of TH 5 and the
Union Pacific Railroad.
Upon approval of the Development, the Applicant began to request various permits required to make the
utility connections and was denied a sewer extension permit from the Metropolitan Council (Met
Council). The Met Council review staff cited an inconsistency with the City’s adopted MUSA phasing
plan found on Map 3-7 in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. That map indicates that the Development is in
the MUSA boundary but not phased for development until the 2035-2040 time period.
Therefore, to receive approval for their sewer extension permit, the Applicant has requested a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment to correct the phasing in Map 3-7 from 2035-2040 to 2020-2030 (from
a white to pink dotted boundary).
Staff note that this change will only include the property for the approved North Star Development. All
future developments still within the 2035-2040 MUSA phasing plan will need to be accompanied by a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment if development is to occur before that time.
ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL:
The Planning Commission should hold a public hearing and make a recommendation on the comprehensive
plan amendment request.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Property Owner: Sycamore Investment Partners LLC
Applicant: GWSA Land Development, LLC
Location: PIDs: 1402921140002 (NW of Stillwater Blvd. N. & Lake Elmo Ave. N.)
Requests: Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Map 3-7
Site Area: 101.39 acres
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Existing Zoning: V-LDR/PUD
Future Land Use: V-LDR,
Proposed Zoning: No Change
Proposed Land Use: No Change
Deadline for Action: Application Complete – 8/31/2023
60 Day Deadline – 10/30/2023
Extension Letter Mailed – No
Applicable Regulations: 2040 Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan
Minnesota State Statute 462.355 Subd. 3
PROPOSAL REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan MUSA Map 3-7, MUSA Phasing & Growth Plan does not show this area
of the City developing until the time period between 2035-2040. There is no discernable reason for the
phasing of the MUSA areas in Map 3-7 other than a general understanding of utility availability and
perceived timelines for development.
The Comprehensive Plan states the following regarding Map 3-7:
Map 3-7 identifies four staging areas consistent with existing and planned water, wastewater and
transportation infrastructure. The City acknowledges that market conditions, as well as other
external impacts may influence exactly where and when development occurs, and this map is
intended to signal to the City that it must evaluate its infrastructure with respect to timing and
development approvals. This is particularly important in the last phase denoted as post-2035.
Property within this staging area should be monitored for capacity and potential improvements
based on actual development in earlier phasing periods.
The City has sewer capacity to serve areas within the MUSA and plans to serve the property including
North Star and the surrounding parcels within the time horizon of the 2040 plan. Staff find no issues with
allowing for private development to bring the sewer infrastructure into this part of the City sooner than
the existing Map anticipates.
The decision to change or amend the Comprehensive Plan is a policy matter for the City Council. Any
change to the Comprehensive Plan should be based on findings and criteria to show that the change would
be consistent with the goals and policies of the City.
As a condition of approval of the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment, the City should require the
submission of the necessary Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the Metropolitan Council and the City
receiving formal notification from the Metropolitan Council that they have completed their review and
that they have approved the proposed plan amendment.
Affected Jurisdictions
Washington County. Comprehensive plan amendments have to be sent to adjacent or affected
jurisdictions for comments. In this proposal, only Washington County has been identified as an affected
jurisdiction due to the need for the sewer to cross the County’s road, Stillwater Boulevard North.
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Upon identifying this required Comprehensive Plan Amendment, and receiving such application, City
staff immediately contacted Washington County and requested comments. Washington County has
indicated that there is no comment on this request.
RECOMMENDED FINDINGS
Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Staff recommends approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment
for the proposed amendment to Map 3-7, MUSA Phasing & Growth Plan, based on the following
findings:
1. That the applicant 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 Planning Commission; and
2. That the request is to amend the Map 3-7, MUSA Phasing & Growth Plan to change the phasing of
the land around the North Star development from a timeline of 2035 to 2040 to a timeline of 2020-
2030; and
3. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Lake Elmo
Comprehensive Plan.
4. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the preliminary and final approvals of the North Star
Development granted by the Lake Elmo City Council on December 20, 2022, and August 15, 2023,
respectively.
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:
There would be no fiscal impact to the City at this time.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its regular meeting on September 25, 2023. There was
one written comment, and two residents present who provided verbal comment. Two residents cited
concerns with the proposed amendment due to water issues and timing of utility extension for the North
Star development. One resident supported the proposed amendment. The Planning Commission
unanimously recommended approval of the proposed amendment.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the amendment to Map 3-7, MUSA Phasing & Growth
Plan on page 3-24 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the land comprising the North Star development
with the following motion:
“Move to adopt Resolution 2023-096 approving a Comprehensive Plan amendment to change the
phasing of the land comprising the North Star development, on the parcels identified by staff, from a
timeline of 2035 to 2040 to a timeline of 2020-2030. ”
ATTACHMENTS:
• Property Location
• Existing and Proposed Land Use Exhibits
• Draft Resolution 2023-096
4,416,404 SQ. FT.101.387 ACRESPARCEL A959,838 SQ. FT.22.035 ACRESPARCEL BΔΔΔSRRGNNE
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SATHRE-BERGQUIST, INC.SUSSYRS OER EVRPLANO.BYDATEREVISIONFIELD CREWDRAWNCMTCHECKEDDLSDATE12/20/2022USE (INCLUDING COPYING, DISTRIBUTION, AND/ORCONVEYANCE OF INFORMATION) OF THIS PRODUCT ISSTRICTLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT SATHRE-BERGQUIST, INC.'sEXPRESS WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION. USE WITHOUT SAIDAUTHORIZATION CONSTITUTES AN ILLEGITIMATE USE ANDSHALL THEREBY INDEMNIFY SATHRE-BERGQUIST, INC. OFALL RESPONSIBILITY. SATHRE-BERGQUIST, INC. RESERVESTHE RIGHT TO HOLD ANY ILLEGITIMATE USER OR PARTYLEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES OR LOSSESRESULTING FROM ILLEGITIMATE USE.I hereby certify that this survey, plan or report was prepared by me or under my direct supervision and that I am a duly LicensedLand Surveyor under the laws of the State of Minnesota.Dated this 21st day of December, 2022.________________________________________________________Daniel L. Schmidt, PLS Minnesota License No. 26147schmidt@sathre.com1FILE NO.114000 25TH AVENUE NORTH, SUITE 120PLYMOUTH MN 55447 (952) 476-6000WWW.SATHRE.COMADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISIONPREPARED FOR:GWSA LAND DEVELOPMENT, LLCWashington County3120-084LAKE ELMO,MINNESOTATWP:029-RGE.21-SEC.14Bearings are based on the Washington CountyCoordinate System (NAD 83 - 1986 adj.)VICINITYMAPNOSCALENORTH0SCALE IN FEET200100100200400Proposed Legal DescriptionParent Parcel“The Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County,Minnesota, EXCEPT the North 991.97 feet of the East Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 14,Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota and EXCEPT the North991.97 feet of the West Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21West, Washington County, Minnesota.ANDThat part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North,Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota lying northerly of the northerly right-of-wayline of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad.”Parcel A:That part of the parent parcel lying north of a line described as commencing at the East corner of said Section 14; thence on an assumed bearing of North 00 degrees 09 minutes 24 seconds West along theeast line of said Section 14, a distance of 366.68 feet to the actual point of beginning; thence South 54 degrees 13 minutes 45 seconds West a distance of 743.07 feet; thence southwesterly 822.00 feet alonga tangential curve, concave to the northwest having a radius of 5740.98 feet and a central angle of 08 degrees 12 minutes 13 seconds, to the west line of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter ofsaid Section 14 and there terminating.Area: 4,416,404 Square Feet ~ 101.387 AcresParcel B:That part of the parent parcel lying south of a line described as commencing at the East corner of said Section 14; thence on an assumed bearing of North 00 degrees 09 minutes 24 seconds West along theeast line of said Section 14, a distance of 366.68 feet to the actual point of beginning; thence South 54 degrees 13 minutes 45 seconds West a distance of 743.07 feet; thence southwesterly 822.00 feet alonga tangential curve, concave to the northwest having a radius of 5740.98 feet and a central angle of 08 degrees 12 minutes 13 seconds, to the west line of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter ofsaid Section 14 and there terminating.Area: 959,838 Square Feet ~ 22.035 AcresExisting Legal DescriptionParcel 1:The Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota, EXCEPT the North 991.97 feet of the East Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota and EXCEPT the North 991.97 feet of the West Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota.Area: 4,301,816 Square Feet ~ 98.756 AcresANDParcel 2:That part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota lying northerly of the northerly right-of-way line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad.Area: 1,074,427 Square Feet ~ 24.665 Acres
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ArcGIS Web AppBuilder
Parcels
Municipals
DNR Protected Waters ID
9/18/2023, 12:52:08 PM
0 0.2 0.40.1 mi
0 0.35 0.70.17 km
1:18,056
Washington County, MN |
Inwood Avenue North10th Street North
5th Street North
Eagle Point BoulevardLakeOlson Lake Jane
LakeElmoSunfish LakeE
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Map 3-7 MUSA Growth & Phasing Plan
2040 Future Land Use MUSA Boundary Planned Roadway (Parkway)
Staging/Phase Timeline
Map Date: September 2023
Current (2020)2020 - 2030 2030 - 2040 2035 - 2040 +
Inwood Avenue North10th Street North
5th Street North
Eagle Point BoulevardLakeOlson Lake Jane
LakeElmoSunfish LakeE
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P
oint L
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DownsLake
0 1900 3800 5700 7600 Ft ´
Map 3-7 MUSA Growth & Phasing Plan
2040 Future Land Use MUSA Boundary Planned Roadway (Parkway)
Staging/Phase Timeline
Map Date: September 2023
Current (2020)2020 - 2030 2030 - 2040 2035 - 2040 +
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2023- 096
RESOLUTION APPROVING GWSA LAND DEVELOPMENT LLC REQUEST FOR
AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP 3-7 MUSA
GROWTH & PHASING PLAN TO CHANGE THE NORTH STAR DEVELOPMENT FROM A
TIMELINE OF 2035-2040 TO A TIMELINE OF 2020-2030.
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, on December 20, 2022, the City of Lake Elmo conditionally approved a
Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development proposed by GWSA Land Development, LLC
(the “Applicant”) for the North Star development on the property legally described in Exhibit A
attached hereto (the “property”); and
WHEREAS, on August 15, 2023, the City of Lake Elmo conditionally approved a Final
Plat and Planned Unit Development for the Property; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant requested permits required for the development of the
Property, and a sewer extension permit was denied by the Metropolitan Council due to the phasing
for the Property indicated in Map 3-7 in the City of Lake Elmo’s adopted 2040 Comprehensive
Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested an amendment to Map 3-7 of the City of Lake
Elmo’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the MUSA Growth and Phasing Plan, to change the Property
from a timeline of 2035-2040 to a timeline of 2020-2030; and
WHEREAS, the public notice was 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 amendment on September 25, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission has submitted its report and
recommendation of approval to the City Council as part of a staff report dated September 25, 2023;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the said matters at its October 3, 2023, meeting
and made the following findings of fact:
1. That the applicant 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 Planning Commission; and
2. That the request is to amend the Map 3-7, MUSA Phasing & Growth Plan to change the phasing of
the land around the North Star development from a timeline of 2035 to 2040 to a timeline of 2020-
2030; and
3. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Lake Elmo
Comprehensive Plan.
4. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the preliminary and final approvals of the North Star
Development granted by the Lake Elmo City Council on December 20, 2022, and August 15, 2023,
respectively.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council does hereby GWSA Land
Development LLC Comprehensive Plan Amendment subject to the following condition:
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.
This resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo on this 3rd day of October
2023.
_____________________________
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Julie Johnson, City Clerk
Resolution 2023-096
Exhibit A
Legal Description of Subject Property
Parent Parcel
“The Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington
County, Minnesota, EXCEPT the North 991.97 feet of the East Half of Northeast Quarter
of Section 14, Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota and
EXCEPT the North 991.97 feet of the West Half of Northeast Quarter of Section 14,
Township 29 North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota.
AND
That part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 29
North, Range 21 West, Washington County, Minnesota lying northerly of the northerly
right-of-way line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad.”
That part of the parent parcel lying north of a line described as commencing at the East corner of
said Section 14; thence on an assumed bearing of North 00 degrees 09 minutes 24 seconds West
along the east line of said Section 14, a distance of 366.68 feet to the actual point of beginning;
thence South 54 degrees 13 minutes 45 seconds West a distance of 743.07 feet; thence
southwesterly 822.00 feet along a tangential curve, concave to the northwest having a radius of
5740.98 feet and a central angle of 08 degrees 12 minutes 13 seconds, to the west line of the
Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of said Section 14 and there terminating.