HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-041CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-041
,4 RESOL UTION SUPPORTING RETENTION OF CITY ZONING AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, decisions about local zoning and land use that best fit community needs
are best left to city residents and officials;
WHEREAS, cities use zoning and land use regulations to balance property usage,
plan for community growth, dedicate space and capacity for public infrastructure to support
development (roads, parks and trails, transportation, sewer, storm water, water, etc.),
mitigate flooding and erosion, and preserve natural resources among others;
WHEREAS, the Minnesota State Legislature, in an attempt to address housing
availability and affordability challenges, is considering measures that would preempt city
authority to regulate land use and zoning and assign that authority to state government;
WHEREAS, passage of those measures would inadequately address housing
availability and affordability challenges;
WHEREAS, a rigid framework for land use and zoning mandated by the state makes
little sense and cities require flexibility to address their own unique circumstances;
WHEREAS, provisions of the proposed state measures would place the fiscal burden
for infrastructure cost of new residential development on the shoulders of existing
homeowners and renters in the state's local communities;
WHEREAS, building of multiple housing units on a single residential lot with
inadequate spacing, as allowed in the proposed zoning preemption measures, could result in
service delivery problems like limiting emergency medical services and fire departments'
access to city neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, provisions would also silence local residents from their concerns
regarding proposed developments during public comment periods of the planning
commission, city council, and other public meetings;
WHEREAS, cities across the state have already put in years of work to address
zoning issues, and continue to do so, with the help of community engagement.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKE ELMO AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby:
1) Opposes state proposals that seek to preempt local zoning and land use decision -
making when it comes to residential development.
2) Urges the Legislature to take into consideration the many concerns raised by the
League of Minnesota Cities with respect to the proposed zoning -related legislation,
namely Senate File 1370 and House File 4009.
3) Supports constructive policy alternatives to incentivize and bolster city efforts
for addressing housing challenges.
4) Advocates for a city-state partnership to core ides reforms that, are proven to
address housing availability and affordability and that ensure efforts can be
locally led and shaped.
Passed and duly adopted this 2nd day of April 2024, by the City Council of the City of Lake
Elmo, Minnesota.
Charles Cadenhead, Mayorel
Z'
MUSM
J u i #eo h nLLo Q Clerk
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