HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-038Ttl�lil CITY OF
I qq -KA_:, ELMO
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
17 DF.YI'-��1�►i�C1�I► IZ►�Ti�QC�:3
A RESOLUTION APPROVIING THE REQUEST WITH CONDITIONS
FOR A VARIANCE TO ALLOW REDUCED SIDE YARD SETBACKS ON
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8650 HUDSON BLVD N
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo is a municipal corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Lake Elmo Medical Center, LLC (the "Applicant'), owner of the property
located at 8650 Hudson Blvd N PID#33.029.21.44.0007, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 (the "Property")
has submitted an application to the City of Lake Elmo (the "City") for a variance request to allow
a reduced side yard setback; and
WHEREAS, notice has been published, mailed, and posted pursuant to the Lake Elmo
Zoning Code, Section 103.00.120; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission held a public hearing on said matter on
May I Ph 2026; and.
WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Planning Commission has submitted its report and
recommendation of approval to the City Council as part of a Staff Memorandum dated June 2nd
2026; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered said matter at its June 2nd 2026 meeting and
directed City staff to draft a resolution approving the variance for its consideration; and
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the testimony elicited and information received, the
City Council makes the following:
FINDINGS
1) That the procedures for obtaining a variance are found in Section 105.12.320 of the Lake
Elmo Zoning Code.
2) That all submission requirements of Section 105.12.320 of the Lake Elmo Zoning Code
have been met by the Applicant.
3) That the proposed variance includes the following components:
a. The applicants propose to construct an addition to the existing building. Due to
the rezoning of the adjacent property and the layout of the site, an addition cannot
be built within city setbacks.
TFIF CITY OF
LAKE ELMO
b. The Lake Elmo City Council approved a conditional use permit on June 2°a, 2026
for a medical facility on the property.
4) 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:
Strict enforcement of the code would not allow for reasonable expansion of the medical
facility/office on the property. The recent zoning change on the adjacent western property
from commercial to residential introduced new setback requirements, substantially
reducing the buildable area on the site. The existing layout, wetland, and road access
present further constraints, limiting potential locations for expanding.
5) Unique Circumstances the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances not created
by the landowner:
The unique site conditions of the neighboring property's recent zoning change and
associated setback requirements, the wetland, and the existing layout were not created by
the landowner. The current owner purchased the property in 2025. The original
development intent identified the open grass area on the south side of the building as the
designated location for future expansion. The proposed site plan places the addition
within the previously reserved area, avoiding disturbance ofwetlands and maintaining
landscaping.
6) Character of Locality the proposed variance will not alter the essential character of the
locality in which the property in question is located:
The proposed variance should not alter the character of the locality. The scale and use of
the proposed expansion is consistent with nearby properties. The surrounding properties
consist of a mix of business park and high -density residential. The residential apartments
to the West of the property will be buffered by the existing wetland and stormwater pond.
7) 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 substantially
increase the congestion of the public streets or substantially diminish or impair property
values within the neighborhood:
The proposed variance request should have no negative effect on light and air to adjacent
properties. Property values should not be diminished from the request. The proposed
addition would be buffered from the apartments to the West by the stormwater pond,
wetland, and proposed landscaping. The apartment building will be more than 150 feet
from the proposed expansion. The request should not substantially increase congestion in
the public street.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, and based upon the information
received and the above Findings, that the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby approves
the request with conditions for a variance request to allow reduced side yard setbacks on the
property located at 8650 Hudson Blvd N. The conditions for approval are outlined below:
THE CITY OF
LAKE ELMO
The applicant must meet all the conditions of approval outlined in the Conditional Use
Permit approved on June 2" a, 2026.
This variance approval is only for reduced setback from the West side property line to 27
feet.
If substantial construction has not taken place within 12 months of the City's approval,
the variance shall become void.
ADOPTED BY THE LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ON THE 2ND DAY OF JUNE 2026.
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
By:
Charles Cadenhead
(Seal) Mayor
ATTEST:
�Jttt.e, J-6 knson