Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF LAKE ELMO <br />WASHINGTON COUNTY <br />STATE OF MINNESOTA <br />RESOLUTION NO. 2024-041 <br />,4 RESOL UTION SUPPORTING RETENTION OF CITY ZONING AUTHORITY <br />WHEREAS, decisions about local zoning and land use that best fit community needs <br />are best left to city residents and officials; <br />WHEREAS, cities use zoning and land use regulations to balance property usage, <br />plan for community growth, dedicate space and capacity for public infrastructure to support <br />development (roads, parks and trails, transportation, sewer, storm water, water, etc.), <br />mitigate flooding and erosion, and preserve natural resources among others; <br />WHEREAS, the Minnesota State Legislature, in an attempt to address housing <br />availability and affordability challenges, is considering measures that would preempt city <br />authority to regulate land use and zoning and assign that authority to state government; <br />WHEREAS, passage of those measures would inadequately address housing <br />availability and affordability challenges; <br />WHEREAS, a rigid framework for land use and zoning mandated by the state makes <br />little sense and cities require flexibility to address their own unique circumstances; <br />WHEREAS, provisions of the proposed state measures would place the fiscal burden <br />for infrastructure cost of new residential development on the shoulders of existing <br />homeowners and renters in the state's local communities; <br />WHEREAS, building of multiple housing units on a single residential lot with <br />inadequate spacing, as allowed in the proposed zoning preemption measures, could result in <br />service delivery problems like limiting emergency medical services and fire departments' <br />access to city neighborhoods; <br />WHEREAS, provisions would also silence local residents from their concerns <br />regarding proposed developments during public comment periods of the planning <br />commission, city council, and other public meetings; <br />WHEREAS, cities across the state have already put in years of work to address <br />zoning issues, and continue to do so, with the help of community engagement. <br />LA515\1\942124.v1 <br />