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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-16 Planning Commission Packet 3800 Laverne Avenue North Lake Elmo, MN 55042 (651) 747-3900 www.lakeelmo.org NOTICE OF MEETING The City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission will conduct a meeting on Monday November 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA 1. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Approve Agenda 3. Approve Minutes a. October 24, 2016 4. Public Hearings a. 5. Business Items a. WILDFLOWER 2ND ADDITION FINAL PLAT AND FINAL PUD PLAN: - The Planning Commission will continue discussion for the Final Plat and Final PUD Plan for Wildflower 2nd Addition which includes 38 single family homes. b. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW: - The Planning Commission is being asked to continue discussion of a comprehensive plan amendment to accommodate potential sewer extensions and sewered development within the area bounded by the Old Village to the North, Lake Elmo Avenue to the West and 10th Street to the South. c. RURAL DENSITY DISCUSSION: - The Planning Commission is being asked to consider the Rural Density for the area north of 10th Street. 6. Updates a. City Council Updates – None b. Staff Updates i. Upcoming Meetings:  November 28, 2016  December 12, 2016 c. Commission Concerns 7. Adjourn ***Note: Every effort will be made to accommodate person or persons that need special considerations to attend this meeting due to a health condition or disability. Please contact the Lake Elmo City Clerk if you are in need of special accommodations. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2016 Chairman Kreimer called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Larson, Griffin, Dodson, Williams, Dunn, Kreimer, Haggard and Lundquist COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Fields STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Wensman and City Administrator Handt Approve Agenda: M/S/P: Williams/Dodson, move to approve the Agenda as amended, Vote: 7-0, motion carried unanimously. Approve Minutes: October 10, 2016 M/S/P: Williams/Lundquist, move to approve the October 10, 2016 minutes as amended, Vote: 7-0, motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing – Sign Variance River Country Cooperative Wensman started his presentation for a variance for River Country Cooperative (Holiday Station on Manning). They are requesting a variance from the maximum surface area requirements of wall and canopy signs. After the realignment of Manning, the view from the road will be on the back side of the building. Wensman went through the findings. Staff feels that all of the variance requirements are met which include unique circumstances, character of locality, adjacent properties and traffic. Notices were sent to properties within 350 feet and no comments were received. Staff is recommending approval subject to the following conditions 1) the new locations of the ground and pylon signs shall be approved by the City and must adhere to all setback and other code requirements 2) all lighting must adhere to the City’s lighting, glare control and exterior lighting standards and 3) the erected signs shall not exceed the proposed square footage described herein. Dodson asked how much more lighting is added with this. Wensman stated that the wall signs are the only ones that have more lighting and they will have to submit a lighting plan to comply with the code. The lighting is not part of the variance. 2 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 The Planning Commission discussed how the new access would work. Public hearing opened at 7:18 pm No one spoke and there were no written comments received. Public hearing closed at 7:18 pm M/S/P: Williams/Dodson, move to recommend approval of the request from River Country Cooperative for a variance from the City’s sign regulations pertaining to maximum canopy and wall sign area for the property located at 4201 Manning Avenue North, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report, Vote: 7-0, motion carried Unanimously. Public Hearing – Comprehensive Plan Amendment Review by HC Golf Course LLC HC Golf Course LLC has requested a comprehensive plan amendment to accommodate potential sewer extensions and sewered development within the area bounded by the Old Village to the North, Lake Elmo Ave to the West and 10th Street to the South of Village. Wensman went through some history on the Royal Golf Residential development. Staff was instructed to craft a “Village Transition Area” as opposed to creating a new land use classification and zoning district should the applicants apply for a change to the comprehensive plan. The Council direction that was used as a guide for the Comprehensive Plan Amendment is the following: 1) Future development must be via a PUD to ensure adherence to the 1.5 to 2.5 units per acre density range 2) Protection of shoreland district land and/or wetlands within this area of the community should be a principle factor in determining when sewered development will be considered 3) Significant acreage should be required prior to consideration of a sewered development within the new transition area 4) recognize that individual lots and/or neighborhoods (who are not seeking to develop) may also request sewer extensions if/when the extension of sewer service is economically feasible. The land use plan language on “Buffering/Land Use Transitions” would be updated to acknowledge the Village Transition Area and the criteria that must be met prior to sewer being made available for existing properties or environmentally sensitive development. In Criteria A, the City may treat a parcel, or group of parcels as being guided for Village Urban Low Density if at least one of the following criteria is satisfied: 1) The land in question is subject to a failing septic system, and extension of the sanitary sewer system is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of adjacent properties or 2) The parcel or parcels in question have petitioned the City requesting an extension of municipal services, and the extension project has been approved by the City Council. In Criteria B, the City may treat a parcel of group of parcels as being guided for Village Urban Low Density for the purposes of development if ALL of the following criteria are satisfied: 1) A minimum of 40 contiguous acres is considered for 3 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 development at one time or is planned for a phased development 2) A minimum of one- half of the gross acres proposed for residential development is within a shoreland district 3) All shoreland district requirements for development can be successfully met without variances 4) Development is completed as a PUD that conforms with the allowable density range established for the Village Low Density land use classification 5) The development incurs all costs for the extension of municipal services, the cost for oversizing as may be needed for further extensions into the Village Transition Area, and/or for upgrades to the existing municipal system as may be needed to service the proposed development. Griffin asked which parcels between 20th and 30th along Lake Elmo Avenue are in the Shoreland district. Wensman pointed out the parcels that are in Shoreland. Kreimer wanted clarification on if we would get credit for sewered development or if this would be a bonus. Wensman stated that it would depend on the Met Council. Dodson is wondering about criteria B. It appears that it only applies to one property. How is this different than spot zoning? According to the City Attorney, it is not spot zoning because there are properties that could combine and apply for a similar application. Williams is wondering what the total area of the Royal Golf is and how much area is in the shoreland district. Wensman stated that the total area for Royal Golf including the golf course and residential is 477 acres. He does not have the number in the shoreland. Larson is wondering if the other considerations are things like the Hamlet on Sunfish. Wensman stated that the transitional area gives more flexibility for emergency situations like Hamlet on Sunfish. Larson is wondering if this is the way things have to be done, or are we making things more difficult. Wensman stated that they are trying to find a solution without creating a new land use category. They feel that this is the best path to allow the developer to do what they want to do, while considering the surrounding properties. Clark Schroeder, HC Development, they are asking for this Comprehensive Plan amendment also to address the environmental issues. Not to have individual septic on these lots would be in the best interest for water quality. They have reduced the density from original density of 360 units to 292 units based on feedback from the City. They feel that this is as low as they can go for this project to go forward. Rick Packer, HC Development, says he doesn’t think there is a lot for him to add. They have tried to work with the City to come up with a solution for this property that doesn’t reinvent the wheel with a new zoning category. With the cost of hooking up to sewer, it probably isn’t feasible for a piece of property under 40 acres to hook up. They understand the residents desire to keep this more at the OP density of 100 units, but it 4 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 just isn’t feasible with the sewer component and they are not willing to put the golf course into a permanent conservation easement. There was a letter sent out with 25 findings of fact that he feels is not accurate, especially in regards to shoreland, MPCA, etc. He would be happy to go through those if they are interested. Packer stated that the total site is 477 acres, 50 of which are in West Lakeland Township and are not part of proposal. The gross acres of this property is right around 420 acres. The residential portion is right around 220 acres. Dodson asked what the current state of the project is. Schroeder stated that the golf course is close to being finished. They are currently planting grass on it. They are hoping to have 9 holes open in the middle of the summer and the other 9 by the end of the summer. They have done the MPCA remediation of the golf course. They have taken out a demolition permit and cleaned out the clubhouse. They are waiting to make sure the City is interested in moving this project forward, so they are at a standstill now. If the City feels this project should not move forward, they would put the property up for sale and market it to sell to the highest bidder. He hopes that doesn’t happen as he feels this is a huge benefit to the area. Packer stated that they have the preliminary plat ready, but have not officially submitted it, but the staff is looking at it for fatal flaws. Public hearing opened at 7:53 pm Shelli Wilk, 11253 14th Street, lives in the Homestead development and is in what she considers a rural pocket. She feels that some of the areas along 94 and the Village were developed more densely so that other areas could remain more rural. She feels that the rural areas are protected by the Citys current zoning. She is concerned that changing this area to sewer is a slippery slope. Shelli submitted a petition signed by 140 people asking that the area in question not be changed to Village Area Transitional, and that Royal Golf have a unique zoning designation. Tim Mandel, 2479 Lisbon Ave, he is upset that the City would consider doing this. There are over 250 homes in this area. When people are moving in and call the City and ask about sewer for this area, they are told that there is no sewer planned for this area. He feels that the Royal Golf has enough property that they could do a community septic system on the site and avoid the city sewer altogether. He went through how many people could live in the area based on this density, especially if the golf course failed. It would be somewhere around 4600 people. Vicki Bailey, 11326 14th Street, has lived in the Homestead for over 18 years. She is wondering why we are here and why we are talking about this when we fought with the Met Council for years to have low density and we have a comprehensive plan in place. It should not be the goal of the staff to allow developers to do what they want to do, but to look out for the needs and desires of the residents equally. 5 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 Jean Durand, 11332 20th Street, she owns the property across the street from the golf course. She has lived there 68 years. She feels the number of homes they want to put in is way too many. She doesn’t feel that sewer needs to be put in for this golf course. There were written comments from Ann Bucheck, 2301 Legion Ave, she is opposed to the Comprehensive Plan change and feels that OP standards would be appropriate and can be done under the current Comprehensive Plan. Nick Miller, 7730 50th Street, believes that the golf course would put the City on the map and would attract people and bring in a lot big names to the area. Wensman stated that in regards to bringing sewer to Tartan Park, the developer would pay for the whole cost of bringing it there. Public hearing closed at 8:12 pm Williams would like to address the findings that he submitted. He submitted them before he saw the actual application and some of them may need to be amended to address the exact amendment. His conclusion is that this piece of property can be developed under OP standards. It is false that the Royal Golf property cannot be developed without sewer. It can be developed with an HOA owned community septic system. A Comprehensive Plan Amendment would still be needed for OP, but that is what he favors. Larson feels that this golf course is an incredible opportunity for the City. This would save all of the major features of this property. Another project could add even more homes. Dodson is concerned that if this project doesn’t go in, the Prairie Island community might be interested. A resident stated that he has had conversations with Blake Johnson, the community relations person for Prairie Island. Mr. Johnson stated that the tribal council of Prairie Island has no further interest in purchasing the Tartan Park property. Dunn stated that Tartan Park is a gem for Lake Elmo and she supports a quality development there. She is not excited about the Village Transition zoning. She would like to see a zoning classification that takes into account that this is commercial and residential both. What can we do as a City to address the buffering around the established homes and be respectful of the residents that are already there? M/S/F: Dodson/Larson, move to add #6 to criteria B to say that if MUSA areas need to be expanded, that it doesn’t impact the averages elsewhere in the City and that Met Council approval is given so that it will not impact other portions of the City, Vote:1-6, motion failed. 6 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 Williams is not in favor of the Comprehensive Plan, so he is opposed to any changes to it. He would urge the Commissioners to vote against the motion. Williams goes back to the fact that it is false that sewer is required to develop this property. He feels the whole exercise of looking at this amendment is moot and they should be working on what amendment they do want. He would like to see the Planning Commission recommends to the City Council that the Comprehensive Plan be amended to include the Royal Golf property in the Rural Area of Lake Elmo which would allow OP development and a golf course based on the findings. Wensman stated that he would recommend a condition of approval that the expansion of the MUSA not impact the averages rather than to add it to the criteria as that is ultimately determined by the Met Council. The city is the one that makes the determination if sewer is available or not. Wensman stated that the golf course will continue to be zoned as public facility with an accessory commercial component. M/S/F: Williams/Griffin, move to recommend that the Comprehensive Plan be amended to include the Royal Golf property in the Rural Development area of Lake Elmo, which would allow OP development and a golf course, Vote: 3-4, motion fails. Williams stated that finding number 15 needs to be changed as it was now determined that only the land located in the Shoreland area is subject to the shoreland regulations, but the whole property would be subject to a PUD. Number 17, Williams would like to add that the OP ordinance requires that 50% of the buildable area be preserved as Open Space. Williams put on the overhead a map of how many golf courses are within 10 miles of City Hall. Larson feels that the City does not offer any services and that we go outside the City for almost all of our services. He would like to see the City start contributing to the larger community. Haggard believes in drawing in quality development to Lake Elmo. She feels that this project would be a huge draw for Lake Elmo. Haggard wanted to hear from the developer about how this proposed change would affect the development. Rick Packer, HC Golf stated that they are unwilling to go down in number of residential units. If they proceed with OP, this project will not move forward. Williams stated that according to MN rule 6120, if a residential PUD goes into a Shoreland district, 50% of the area must be set aside as open space. The City has no discretion in that. Packer disagrees with that interpretation and has emails from the DNR as late as today that what they are proposing is below the minimum threshold of the Shoreland district and the 50% open space does not apply. Packer pointed out that if Mr. Williams is correct, whatever they do tonight won’t matter as they would be denied at the DNR submission level. Wensman stated that this is a finding of fact and not necessarily relevant at this time to the Comprehensive Plan amendment at this time. 7 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 Dodson, Larson and Kreimer all feel that the Tartan Park Golf Course would be a huge benefit to the community. Williams loves the rural character of Lake Elmo and feels that the boundary of 10th Street for the MUSA is very important. He would be sad to lose the golf course, but feels it would be worse to move the sewer to the north of 10 th Street. He feels that Lake Elmo is already on the map and are known for many things such as the regional park, Lake Elmo Inn, Sunfish Lake Park, etc. Lundquist is in favor of this development. She recalls that about 33% or this development is in Shoreland. She thinks it would be foolish not to put sewer in. Griffin would like to see the golf course go into a conservation easement. She is not comfortable that they won’t want to put houses there someday. She is not opposed to the sewer, but not if the golf course is not in open space. M/S/F: Williams/Lundquist, move to postpone consideration of this matter until they have received clarification from the City Attorney about the question of a base density of the residential area such that they would not need to set aside 50% of the area for open space, Vote: 3-4, motion fails. Wensman is not sure how that would affect one land use designation or another. Either their proposal will meet the Shoreland densities or it will not and will be rejected. Williams feels that it is an important question because it would address the total number of units for this area. If they do not have to set aside 50%, that would make a huge difference for the development in terms of numbers and how they feel about the development. Lundquist asked if they reguide this property, what happens to the golf course that is zoned PF. Wensman stated it would stay PF. This is technically not reguiding, but saying if these conditions are met, they can develop at the urban low density zoning. Larson is wondering if there is anything with the PUD bonus densities that could be used to come up with a compromise. Griffin is wondering if this amendment goes with this plan or if it goes with the land. Wensman stated that this amendment includes the whole area between the Village and the Southern section of the Royal Golf. If they vote for this and the Royal Golf proposal doesn’t go through, this whole area will be reguided to Village Transitional. Dunn is wondering why the Village Transition has to be the whole area that is shown on the map in the packet. Couldn’t it be a smaller area? Wensman stated that the genesis of this is tying the Tartan Park area to the Village Area, or this doesn’t make much sense. M/S/: Kreimer/Dodson, move to recommend approval of a Comprehensive Plan amendment to be determined after this vote to create a Village Transitional area that 8 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 utilizes the Village Urban Low Density land use designation, No Vote Taken as motion to substitute a motion passed. Williams is opposed to the motion. He loves golf, but the golf course is not worth the risk of this whole area being sewered, which is what could happen. Dunn is concerned that the golf course is not being put into an easement. Wensman stated that they are not willing to put the golf course into an easement. The other open space in relation to the residential portion would be in an HOA controlled easement. Wensman stated that the golf course would have to go through a formal rezone process as it would still be public facility. Packer stated that they will be putting infrastructure in the golf course area and the HOA will own areas in the golf course area. It would be very difficult for someone else to come in and redevelop it. Shelli Wilk, 11253 14th Street, is wondering why it wouldn’t be easier just to rezone the property owned by Royal Golf and create like a golf course community zone. It would appease some of the concerns of the neighbors and not open up such a large area for sewered development. Williams thinks this might be a unique solution for a unique situation. M/S/P: Williams/Dunn, move to consider a substitute motion to say that the Planning Commission recommends that the City take the time to look for a unique solution to this unique situation, Vote: 5-2, motion carried. M/S/P: Williams/Lundquist, move to postpone consideration of the substitute motion until at least the next Planning Commission meeting to ask the staff to propose a reguidance to the Comprehensive Plan of a Golf Community category and follow up of a new zoning district, Vote: 5-2, motion carried. Williams doesn’t want to be more specific than that and wants to take the time to think about it. He wants to come up with a solution that might work for the development, but does not put the rest of the City at risk for additional sewer extensions. Larson likes the idea of the golf community zone and a good starting point. Williams would like a unique solution, like a golf community, because no other property to the North of them could meet the criteria. He does not want to see the area north of 20th Street to be subject to sewer. M/S/P: Williams/Lundquist, move to postpone consideration of the substitute motion until at least the next Planning Commission meeting to ask the staff to propose a reguidance to the Comprehensive Plan of a Golf Community category and follow up of a new zoning district, Vote: 7-0, motion carried unanimously. 9 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 Williams thinks they could use the Cimarron Park as a possible minimum for the Criteria. It is approximately 60-70 acres. Lundquist would like a condition on the Golf Course that it stays in open space. She would like to see the development be sewered to protect the area. Williams stated that this needs to be crafted with criteria that is specific to this property so that the criteria can’t be met elsewhere. Williams suggested possibly 30% minimum Shoreland. Dodson asked if they would be excluding Terry Emerson’s property. Wensman stated that there have been conversations that the Emerson property might be part of the preliminary plat of Royal Golf to be developed later. Emerson’s property is about 20 acres. Wensman stated that he doesn’t see the connection between the Shoreland and the Golf Course Community. Kreimer suggested that a criteria could be that sewer is allowed on a golf course greater than 60 acres and residential greater than 60 acres. Williams stated it must be a PUD. Dodson suggested that the criteria on page III-14 might be a good starting point. They would want to change the minimum acreage to 120 acres, minimum 60 for golf course and minimum 60 acres for residential. Must be a PUD with 1 ½ - 2 ½ units per acre. Wensman stated that they have probably put together enough for the guidance, but will get to more of the details when they work on the zoning. Dunn asked about buffering. Wensman stated that it would be written into the zoning district. Public Hearing – Zoning Text Amendment – Non-Conforming Use Ordinance Wensman started his presentation by stating that the Citys code pertaining to nonconformities is not compliant with changes in the state statute. The section affected pertains to the preservation of non-conforming uses. The non-conforming use may be continued “through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance, or improvement.” “The continuation of the non-conforming used does not include expansion except as otherwise permitted by this section.” The amendment specifies when you can restore or replace a non-conforming structure. Public Hearing opened at 10:33 pm There were no other written or electronic comments received Public Hearing closed at 10:33 pm M/S/P: Williams/Griffin, move to recommend approval of the ordinance amending the Lake Elmo Code of ordinances regarding non-conforming uses, buildings and structures, Vote: 7-0, motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing – Zoning Text Amendment – Variance Ordinance Amendment 10 Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 10-24-16 Wensman started his presentation by stating that the City Attorney suggested the City amend the expiration section of the Variance Ordinance, Section 154.109 because it is of questionable legality because variances run with the land. The change deals with the expiration of the variance if it is not used by the applicant. Public Hearing opened at 10:36 pm No written or electronic comments were received. Public Hearing closed at 10:36 pm M/S/P: Dunn/Lundquist, move to recommend approval of ordinance 08-_ amending the Lake Elmo code of ordinances, Section 154.109 as it pertains to expirations of variances, Vote: 7-0, motion carried unanimously. City Council Updates – October 18, 2016 Meeting i) Inwood 4th Addition Final Plat – passed ii) Conditional Use Permit – 5699 Keats Ave – passed iii) Conditional Use Permit – Rock Point Church - passed Staff Updates 1. Upcoming Meetings a. November 14, 2016 b. November 28, 2016 Staff has received updates from the DNR. They stated that we were not using the current template. The City tweaked what we had previously submitted and resubmitted for review. Commission Concerns Lundquist was uncomfortable with the resident who spoke that was making negative comments about Mr. Wensman. She doesn’t want the Commission meetings to become like Council meetings. If that type of thing happens again, she expects people to be respectful and there should be a stop put to it. Meeting adjourned at 10: pm Respectfully submitted, Joan Ziertman Planning Program Assistant PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: 11/14/2016 AGENDA ITEM: 5A – PUBLIC HEARING CASE # 2016-40 ITEM: Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plans SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Wensman, Planning Director REVIEWED BY: Emily Becker, City Planner Jack Griffin, City Engineer SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: Robert Engstrom Companies is requesting approval of final plat, final PUD development plans for the second phase of the Wildflower at Lake Elmo PUD development. The final plat includes 20 single family residential lots located to the east of the first phase. Staff is recommending approval of the request subject to compliance with the conditions listed in this report. GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Robert Engstrom Companies; 4801 West 81st Street, #101, Bloomington, MN Property Owners: Robert Engstrom Companies; 4801 West 81st Street, #101, Bloomington, MN Location: Outlot O, Wildflower at Lake Elmo 1st Addition, near the intersection of Wildflower Drive and Monarch Lane. Request: Application for lot Final Plat and Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plan approval for the second phase of the Wildflower PUD development. The final plat includes 20 single-family residential lots, an outlot (courtyard), and an outlot for future development. Existing Land Use and Zoning: Vacant outlot and MDR/PUD. Surrounding Land Use and Zoning: North – vacant outlot and MDR/PUD zoning –; west – Wildflower 1st Addition and MDR/PUD zoning –; south – offices, business park land – General Business zoning; east – Wildflower outlot and open space/Field of St. Croix II subdivision open space – RR and OP zoning. Comprehensive Plan: Village Medium Density Residential (3-4 units per acre)/Village Open Space Overlay History: The property is within the Village Planning Area boundary and municipal sewer service area. The site was historically been used for faming activities. A large portion of the site is located in a FEMA Flood District. The City approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment in 2014 that removed portions of the site from the open space land category. The City approved a PUD Concept Plan for the property on June 17, 2014, 2 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a and a preliminary plat and preliminary PUD plans on April 7, 2015. Wildflower 1st Addition received final plat and PUD plan approval on 7/21/15. Deadline for Action: Application Complete – 8/26/16 60 Day Deadline – 10/25/16 Extension Letter Mailed – Yes 120 Day Deadline – 12/24/16 Applicable Regulations: Chapter 153 – Subdivision Regulations Article 10 – Urban Residential Districts (MDR) Article 16 – Planned Unit Development Regulations §150.270 Storm Water, Erosion, and Sediment Control REQUEST DETAILS Robert Engstrom Companies is requesting approval of a final plat and final PUD plan associated with the second phase of the Wildflower Planned Unit Development (PUD). The proposed final plat will replat the Outlot O, Wildflower at Lake Elmo, 19.2074 acres, in 20 single-family residential lots, of which 10 will be the “garden villa” homes while the remaining 10 will be the general single family homes located north of Wildflower Drive. In addition to the 20 single family homes, the final pla t and PUD plans include two outlots. Outlot A is 0.5818 acres in size and will be an HOA owned outlot for the garden villa courtyard. Outlot B is 11.99 acres in size and will be redeveloped into residential lots in the future. The ten garden villa lots average 0.16 aces in size with the smallest lot being 0.1405 acres in size and the largest 0.1774 acres in size; the ten single family lots average 0.29 acres in size, with the smallest being 0.2292 acres in size and largest being 0.3504 the acres in size. The lots sizes and dimensions are consistent with the preliminary plat and PUD Plans. Plat Summary: Development area (Outlot O): 19.2074 acres Total lot area: 4.4962 acres Residential lots: 20 (10 villa, 10 regular) Outlot for future development (Outlot B): 11.9934 acres Outlot for courtyard (Outlot A): 0.5818 acres R/W area: 2.1359 acres Average garden villa lot size: 0.16 acres Average single family lot size: 0.29 acres Gross density (excluding outlots): 2.55 dwelling units per acre Net density (excluding outlots and R/W) 4.0 dwelling units per acre Grading. The site was graded with the first phase development, so no grading plans were included in the final plat submittal. REVIEW AND ANALYSIS: At the October 10, 2016 Planning Commission meeting, Staff discussed the PUD Agreement and a conflict in the interpretation of the setback adjacent a public street in the courtyard areas. Since the meeting, Staff has further researched the issue and discovered that the PUD Agreement Summary document was in conflict with the Preliminary Plat Resolution No. 2015-23 (attached). The resolution and attached 4/14/16 City Council minutes clarify the setback issue, establishing the 3 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a sideyard setback adjacent a public street at 10 feet, rather than 15 feet. That being so, encroachments are allowed into setbacks, but not necessarily drainage and utility easements unless the encroachment is reviewed by the City Engineer and an encroachment agreement is executed. This process will ensure that there will be no more issues similar to the encroachments on Lot 4, Block 4, Wildflower at Lake Elmo 1st Addition. Also at the October 10, 2016 meeting during the public hearing, stormwater from Wildflower and Village Preserve was discussed and the Planning Commission and as a result, the Planning Commission tabled the Wildflower 2nd Addition final plat and final PUD until the potential issues were better understood. John Hanson from the Valley Branch Watershed District has since investigated the storm water issues and has determined that there are some issues with the Wildflower stormwater pond depth and non-functioning infiltration basins in the Village Preserve development that will be corrected as part of the development process. The Village Preserve infiltration basins will be corrected yet this fall. The report attributes the primary reason for the high water levels to the large volume of rain this season. Overall, the report confirms that the planning and design of the stormwater system is adequate for the proposed development and therefore, the system can accommodate the additional stormwater that will be created with the development of the Wildflower 2nd Addition. Also at the public hearing, Rich Smith claimed some conditions of the 1st Addition plat have not been satisfactorily addressed by the developer. The conditions appear to be a private agreement between Mr. Smith and Mr. Engstrom that would have provided connection to municipal sewer, landscaping and other improvements. The issues remaining with the final plat are: Stormwater. (as mentioned above). Street Names. Street B on the Final Plat has not been given a proper name. This street should be named consistent with the City’s street naming ordinance prior to recording the plat. Engineering Review. The City Engineer has reviewed the final plat submittal and has prepared a memorandum for the Commission and Council’s review. The comments in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated September 29, 2016 should be addressed prior to releasing the plat for recording. Landscape Plan. A revised landscape plan has been submitted for review, but has not been approved. Approval of the landscape plan should be a condition prior to releasing the plat for recording. Protective Easement. A condition of preliminary plat was to protect all open space with protective easements. An protective easement is being prepared to protect Outlot A from any future development. This should be a condition of that needs to be addressed prior to releasing the plat for recording. Temporary Easements. The City Attorney has indicated that with the 2nd Addition Plat, existing temporary easement between the city and Mr. Smith and a temporary access easement between the developer and Mr. Smith will expire with the platting of the 2 nd Addition. New easement agreements are being drafted and the execution of these agreements should be made a condition of the 2nd addition final plat. Preliminary Plat Conditions. The final plat is in conformance with the preliminary plat. The preliminary plat and PUD plans were approved with conditions. Staff has provided comments on the status of each in bold italics: 4 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a Preliminary Plat Conditions – With Staff Update Comments (updated information in bold italics): 1) No lots within a FEMA flood zone shall be approved as part of a final plat until such time that the City’s Floodplain Management Map has been amended to remove these lots. As an alternative to amending this map, the developer must provide documentation that all structures will be built above the regulatory flood protection elevation, that any public infrastructure will also meet Floodplain Ordinance requirements, and that the proposed storm water ponds may be constructed within the floodplain area. Comments: This condition will apply to the final plat and all subsequent stages. The Valley Branch Watershed District has indicated that it will undertake a study to amend the FEMA flood delineations to lower the flood levels in this area to match those identified in the Goetschel Pond study. There are no buildable lots depicted on the final plat that are located in a flood district. 2) Prior to any grading activity, the developer shall submit to the City temporary grading easements from the owner of the lots adjacent to Layton Avenue within the Brookman Addition in order to construct the improvements within this right-of-way as documented in the preliminary construction plans. Comments: These easements have been secured and grading was completed within this area. 3) The developer has requested the inclusion of public art within common areas and public property throughout Wildflower development. Prior to the placement of any art on publicly owned property or public rights-of-way, the developer and City shall enter into an agreement that clarifies the individuals or entities responsible for maintenance, upkeep and removal of any public art. No public art shall be lit in a manner that conflicts with the City’s Lighting Ordinance. Comments: This is a condition that will apply to any placement of public art within the development, including that installed in phase 1, the stamping of poetry into sidewalks and sculpture in the right of way. A landscape license agreement shall be executed to include public art as a landscape element and shall be executed prior to building permits in the second phase. 4) Prior to the submission of a final plat for any portion of the Wildflower PUD, the developer shall work with the City to determine the appropriate park dedication calculations for the entire development area. Comments: The developer agreement for the first phase indicated that all park dedication was satisfied with the first phase of the development. 5) The applicant must enter into a separate grading agreement with the City prior to the commencement of any grading activity in advance of final plat and plan approval. The City Engineer shall review any grading plan that is submitted in advance of a final plat, and said plan shall document extent of any proposed grading on the site. Comments: The site grading was completed with the first phase of the development 6) The utility construction plans shall be updated to incorporate the recommendations of the City Engineer as described in a February 18, 2015 memorandum to the City concerning the appropriate location and size of sewer services through the PUD planning area, including any requested oversizing of these facilities to service adjacent properties, prior to the submission of a final plat. Comments: The supplemental plans included in the final plat submission address the previous review comments. The City Engineer approved the supplemental plans. This condition has been met. 5 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a 7) The developer shall minimize the number of rain gardens within public rights-of-way consistent with the review comments from the City Engineer. Any such storm water infiltration features shall be subject to review and approval by the City Engineer. Comments: All rain gardens as previously proposed have been eliminated from the plans. 8) The preliminary development plans must be revised to comply with City Street standards as referenced in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated February 18, 2015. Comments: The plans have been updated to meet City standards and were approved as part of the PUD. 9) The City approves all requests for flexibility from City Zoning and Subdivision requirements with the exception of the street standards noted in the preceding condition. Comments: The revised plans address this condition. 10) The applicant is encouraged to incorporate elements from the Lake Elmo Theming Study into the open space areas within the subdivision. Comments: The final plans do not include any specific references to the City’s theming study. This condition was not a mandatory requirement. 11) The preliminary landscape plan shall be updated to address the review comments from the City’s landscape architecture consultant as noted in a review letter dated February 4, 2015. Comments: The Preliminary Landscape Plans dated 5/28/15 generally meet the City’s requirements for landscaping, however the Landscape Architect’s review comments have not been fully addressed. The developer has since submitted an amended plan for a portion of the first addition landscaping which have been approved, subject to the landscape requirements for the entire site. The first phase landscaping will be evaluated for compliance once the first phase is landscaped and an asbuilt plan has been submitted. A second phase plan has been submitted and approval of the plan shall be required prior to recording the final plat of the 2 nd Addition. 12) All center median planting areas as depicted on the preliminary plat and plans shall be owned by the City of Lake Elmo and maintained by the Homeowners Association. The applicant shall enter into a maintenance agreement with the City that clarifies the individuals or entities responsible for any landscaping installed in areas outside of land dedicated as public park, trails, or open space on the final plat. The developer has entered into a landscape license agreement that meets this condition for the first phase which will need to be amended to address the public art. A similar agreement will be required with the second addition and will be a condition of approval. The agreement shall be executed prior to issuance of building permits in the second phase. 13) The Final Plat and Plans must address the requested modifications outlined in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated February 18, 2015. Comments: The final plans have addressed these comments/ 14) Prior to recording the Final Plat for any portion of the area shown in the Preliminary Plat, the Developer shall enter into a Developers Agreement acceptable to the City Attorney that delineates who is responsible for the design, construction, and payment of public improvements. Comments: A developer’s agreement was entered into for the first phase and will be for the second phase. 6 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a 15) The developer shall provide an easement over or dedicate in a separate outlot all trails to be dedicated for public use. Any such trails shall be considered a park land dedication provide said trails are constructed by the developer with other public improvements within the subdivision. Comments: this condition has been met. 16) The City will not approve a final plat for any portion of Wildflower until such time that the City has approved construction plans and received financial security related to the construction of the public improvement project to connect the 39th Street Sewer to the 30th Street lift station. Comments: This condition has been met and no longer applies. 17) The developer must follow all the rules and regulations of the Wetland Conservation Act, and adhere to the conditions of approval for the Valley Branch Watershed District Permit. Comments: The developers plan have been reviewed and approved by the Watershed District and grading work has been completed in accordance with this permit. 18) The developer shall maintain access to the Smith property (11514 Stillwater Boulevard North) during construction of the first development phase. Said access shall, at a minimum, be capable of supporting emergency management vehicles and be consistent with City access driveway standards. The existing driveway easement shall be vacated prior to the recording of the final plat. Comments: The driveway easement from the Smith property providing access to Stillwater Boulevard has been vacated. Easements to the City and Mr. Smith will expire upon the recording of the 2nd Addition Final Plat. These replacement easements are being drafted and should be a condition of final plat. 19) The developer shall establish a legally binding agreement to prevent further residential or commercial development of all outlots that are planned for open space or conservation uses within the preliminary plat. Comments: This condition has been met for the first phase and is being addressed in the second phase to protect Outlot A. Staff is recommending approval of the final plat and PUD plans with conditions intended to address the outstanding issues that will require additional review and/or documentation. RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: Staff is recommending conditions as part of this final plat review to address issues highlighted in this report that include conditions of the preliminary plat that have not been fully addressed by the applicant. The City Engineer’s review memorandum dated September 29, 2016 identifies a number of issues that need to be addressed by the developer in order for the City to deem the final plans complete. Based on the above Staff report and analysis, Staff is recommending approval of the final plat and final PUD development plans for phase two with the following conditions: Recommended Conditions of Approval: 1) The comments in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated September 29, 2016 should be addressed prior to releasing the plat for recording. Final construction plans shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer prior to the recording of the Final Plat. All changes and modifications to the plans requested by the City Engineer in a memorandum dated September 29, 7 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a 2016 and any future reviews shall be incorporated into these documents before they are approved. 2) Prior to the execution of the Final Plat by City officials, the Developer shall enter into a Developer’s Agreement acceptable to the City Attorney and approved by the City Council that delineates who is responsible for the design, construction, and payment of the required improvements for the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Development Plans with financial guarantees therefore. 3) All easements as requested by the City Engineer and Public Works Department shall be documented on the Final Plat prior to the execution of the final plat by City Officials. 4) A Common Interest Agreement concerning management of the common areas of Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition and establishing a homeowner’s association shall be submitted in final form to the Community Development Director before a building permit may be issued for any structure within this subdivision. 5) The applicant shall also enter into a landscape license/public art agreement and maintenance agreement with the City that clarifies the individuals or entities responsible for any landscaping and public art installed in areas outside of land dedicated as public park and open space on the final plat. 6) The landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by the City prior to releasing the final plat for recording. 7) Street signs and no parking signs shall be installed on City Streets within the development prior to any building permits being issued. 8) That street segment B, be given a name on the final plat prior to approval of the final plat by the City Council. 9) That new easements be executed between the Developer and the City and the Developer and Mr. Smith that replace the temporary easements that expire with the recording of the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition. 10) That a protective easement be placed over Outlot A to protect the area from future development. DRAFT FINDINGS Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission consider the following findings with regards to the proposed Wildflower Final Plat and Final PUD Plans  That all the requirements of City Code Section 153.07 related to the Final Plan and Final Plat have been met by the Applicant.  That the proposed Final Plat for Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition consists of the creation of 20 single-family detached residential structures. 8 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 5a  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plan is consistent with the Preliminary Plat and Plans as approved by the City of Lake Elmo on April 7, 2014.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plan is consistent with the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map for this area.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat generally complies with the City’s Urban Medium Density Residential zoning district, with the exceptions as noted in the approved Preliminary PUD Plans and PUD Agreement.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat complies with all other applicable zoning requirements, including the City’s landscaping, storm water, sediment and erosion control and other ordinances, except as noted in this report or attachment thereof.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat complies with the City’s subdivision ordinance.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plan complies with the City’s Planned Unit Development Ordinance.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat is consistent with the City’s engineering standards with the exceptions noted by the City Engineer in his review comments to the City dated September 29, 2016 and as otherwise identified in future reviews. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Final Plat and Final Development Plans for Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition with the 10 conditions of approval as listed in the Staff report. Suggested motion: “Move to recommend approval of the final plat and PUD development plans for the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition with 10 conditions based on the findings listed in the staff report.” ATTACHMENTS: 1. Application and narrative 2. City Engineer Review Comments – 9/29/2016 3. 10/24/16 Planning Commission packet 4. Final Landscape Plan 5. Resolution 2015-23 – approving the final plat of Wildflower 1st Addn. 6. City Council minutes, 4-14-15, changing the 15’ setback to 10’ 7. Rich Smith correspondence with the developer. BUSINESS ITEM 5A PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: 10/24/2016 AGENDA ITEM: 5A BUSINESS ITEM CASE # 2016-40 ITEM: Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plans SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Wensman, Planning Director REVIEWED BY: Emily Becker, City Planner Jack Griffin, City Engineer SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: Robert Engstrom Companies is requesting approval of final plat, final PUD development plans for the second phase of the Wildflower at Lake Elmo PUD development. The final plat includes 20 single family residential lots located to the east of the first phase. Staff is recommending approval of the request subject to compliance with the conditions listed in this report. GENERAL INFORMATION Applicant: Robert Engstrom Companies; 4801 West 81st Street, #101, Bloomington, MN Property Owners: Robert Engstrom Companies; 4801 West 81st Street, #101, Bloomington, MN Location: Outlot O, Wildflower at Lake Elmo 1st Addition, near the intersection of Wildflower Drive and Monarch Lane. Request: Application for lot Final Plat and Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plan approval for the second phase of the Wildflower PUD development. The final plat includes 20 single-family residential lots, an outlot (courtyard), and an outlot for future development. Existing Land Use and Zoning: Vacant outlot and MDR/PUD. Surrounding Land Use and Zoning: North – vacant outlot and MDR/PUD zoning –; west – Wildflower 1st Addition and MDR/PUD zoning –; south – offices, business park land – General Business zoning; east – Wildflower outlot and open space/Field of St. Croix II subdivision open space – RR and OP zoning. Comprehensive Plan: Village Medium Density Residential (3-4 units per acre)/Village Open Space Overlay History: The property is within the Village Planning Area boundary and municipal sewer service area. The site was historically been used for faming activities. A large portion of the site is located in a FEMA Flood District. The City approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment in 2014 that removed portions of the site from the open space land category. The City approved a PUD Concept Plan for the property on June 17, 2014, 2 BUSINESS ITEM 5A and a preliminary plat and preliminary PUD plans on April 7, 2015. Wildflower 1st Addition received final plat and PUD plan approval on 7/21/15. Deadline for Action: Application Complete – 8/26/16 60 Day Deadline – 10/25/16 Extension Letter Mailed – No 120 Day Deadline – 12/24/16 Applicable Regulations: Chapter 153 – Subdivision Regulations Article 10 – Urban Residential Districts (MDR) Article 16 – Planned Unit Development Regulations §150.270 Storm Water, Erosion, and Sediment Control REQUEST DETAILS Robert Engstrom Companies is requesting approval of a final plat and final PUD plan associated with the second phase of the Wildflower Planned Unit Development (PUD). The proposed final plat will replat the Outlot O, Wildflower at Lake Elmo, 19.2074 acres, in 20 single-family residential lots, of which 10 will be the “garden villa” homes while the remaining 10 will be the general single family homes located north of Wildflower Drive. In addition to the 20 single family homes, the final plat and PUD plans include two outlots. Outlot A is 0.5818 acres in size and will be an HOA owned outlot for the garden villa courtyard. Outlot B is 11.99 acres in size and will be redeveloped into residential lots in the future. The ten garden villa lots average 0.16 aces in size with the smallest lot being 0.1405 acres in size and the largest 0.1774 acres in size; the ten single family lots average 0.29 acres in size, with the smallest being 0.2292 acres in size and largest being 0.3504 the acres in size. The lots sizes and dimensions are consistent with the preliminary plat and PUD Plans. Plat Summary: Development area (Outlot O): 19.2074 acres Total lot area: 4.4962 acres Residential lots: 20 (10 villa, 10 regular) Outlot for future development (Outlot B): 11.9934 acres Outlot for courtyard (Outlot A): 0.5818 acres R/W area: 2.1359 acres Average garden villa lot size: 0.16 acres Average single family lot size: 0.29 acres Gross density (excluding outlots): 2.55 dwelling units per acre Net density (excluding outlots and R/W) 4.0 dwelling units per acre Grading. The site was graded with the first phase development, so no grading plans were included in the final plat submittal. REVIEW AND ANALYSIS: At the October 10, 2016 Planning Commission meeting, Staff discussed the PUD Agreement and a conflict in the interpretation of the setback adjacent a public street in the courtyard areas. Since the meeting, Staff has further researched the issue and discovered that the PUD Agreement Summary document was in conflict with the Preliminary Plat Resolution No. 2015-23 (attached). The resolution and attached 4/14/16 City Council minutes clarify the setback issue, establishing the 3 BUSINESS ITEM 5A sideyard setback adjacent a public street at 10 feet, rather than 15 feet. That being said, encroachments are allowed into setbacks, but not necessarily drainage and utility easements. Staff will enforce a no encroachment policy for the drainage and utility easements adjacent the public street to ensure that there will be no more similar issues as was illustrated with Lot 4, Block 4, Wildflower at Lake Elmo 1st Addition. Also at the October 10, 2016 meeting, stormwater from Wildflower and Village Preserve was discussed and the Planning Commission tabled the Wildflower 2nd Addition final plat and final PUD until the potential issues were better understood. John Hanson from the Valley Branch Watershed District is looking into the stormwater issues and will issue a report to the Valley Branch Board on 10/21/16, too late for the Planning Commission packet. Planning Staff will have copies of that memo available at the Planning Commission meeting and will email it to Planning Commissioners once it is received. The memo is anticipated to have an explanation of the stormwater issues that will hopefully make sense and will allow Wildflower 2nd Addition to proceed. The Rich Smith issue, comments made by Rich Smith that conditions of the first addition plat have not been complied with, appear to be a private agreement between Mr. Smith and Mr. Engstrom that would have provided connection to municipal sewer, landscaping and other improvements. The issues remaining with the final plat are: Stormwater. (as mentioned above). Street Names. Street B on the Final Plat has not been given a proper name. This street should be named consistent with the City’s street naming ordinance prior to recording the plat. Engineering Review. The City Engineer has reviewed the final plat submittal and has prepared a memorandum for the Commission and Council’s review. The comments in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated September 29, 2016 should be addressed prior to releasing the plat for recording. Preliminary Plat Conditions. The final plat is in conformance with the preliminary plat. The preliminary plat and PUD plans were approved with conditions. Staff has provided comments on the status of each in bold italics: Preliminary Plat Conditions – With Staff Update Comments (updated information in bold italics): 1) No lots within a FEMA flood zone shall be approved as part of a final plat until such time that the City’s Floodplain Management Map has been amended to remove these lots. As an alternative to amending this map, the developer must provide documentation that all structures will be built above the regulatory flood protection elevation, that any public infrastructure will also meet Floodplain Ordinance requirements, and that the proposed storm water ponds may be constructed within the floodplain area. Comments: This condition will apply to the final plat and all subsequent stages. The Valley Branch Watershed District has indicated that it will undertake a study to amend the FEMA flood delineations to lower the flood levels in this area to match those identified in the Goetschel Pond study. There are no buildable lots depicted on the final plat that are located in a flood district. 2) Prior to any grading activity, the developer shall submit to the City temporary grading easements from the owner of the lots adjacent to Layton Avenue within the Brookman Addition in order to construct the improvements within this right-of-way as documented in the preliminary 4 BUSINESS ITEM 5A construction plans. Comments: These easements have been secured and grading was completed within this area. 3) The developer has requested the inclusion of public art within common areas and public property throughout Wildflower development. Prior to the placement of any art on publicly owned property or public rights-of-way, the developer and City shall enter into an agreement that clarifies the individuals or entities responsible for maintenance, upkeep and removal of any public art. No public art shall be lit in a manner that conflicts with the City’s Lighting Ordinance. Comments: This is a condition that will apply to any placement of public art within the development, including that installed in phase 1, the stamping of poetry into sidewalks and sculpture in the right of way. A landscape license agreement shall be executed to include public art as a landscape element and shall be executed prior to building permits in the second phase. 4) Prior to the submission of a final plat for any portion of the Wildflower PUD, the developer shall work with the City to determine the appropriate park dedication calculations for the entire development area. Comments: The developer agreement for the first phase indicated that all park dedication was satisfied with the first phase of the development. 5) The applicant must enter into a separate grading agreement with the City prior to the commencement of any grading activity in advance of final plat and plan approval. The City Engineer shall review any grading plan that is submitted in advance of a final plat, and said plan shall document extent of any proposed grading on the site. Comments: The site grading was completed with the first phase of the development 6) The utility construction plans shall be updated to incorporate the recommendations of the City Engineer as described in a February 18, 2015 memorandum to the City concerning the appropriate location and size of sewer services through the PUD planning area, including any requested oversizing of these facilities to service adjacent properties, prior to the submission of a final plat. Comments: The supplemental plans included in the final plat submission address the previous review comments. The City Engineer approved the supplemental plans. This condition has been met. 7) The developer shall minimize the number of rain gardens within public rights-of-way consistent with the review comments from the City Engineer. Any such storm water infiltration features shall be subject to review and approval by the City Engineer. Comments: All rain gardens as previously proposed have been eliminated from the plans. 8) The preliminary development plans must be revised to comply with City Street standards as referenced in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated February 18, 2015. Comments: The plans have been updated to meet City standards and were approved. 9) The City approves all requests for flexibility from City Zoning and Subdivision requirements with the exception of the street standards noted in the preceding condition. Comments: The revised plans address this condition. 10) The applicant is encouraged to incorporate elements from the Lake Elmo Theming Study into the open space areas within the subdivision. Comments: The final plans do not include any specific references to the City’s theming study. This condition was not a mandatory requirement. 5 BUSINESS ITEM 5A 11) The preliminary landscape plan shall be updated to address the review comments from the City’s landscape architecture consultant as noted in a review letter dated February 4, 2015. Comments: The Preliminary Landscape Plans dated 5/28/15 generally meet the City’s requirements for landscaping, however the Landscape Architect’s review comments have not been fully addressed. The developer has since submitted an amended plan for a portion of the first addition landscaping which have been approved, subject to the landscape requirements for the entire site. The first phase landscaping will be evaluated for compliance once the first phase is landscaped and an asbuilt plan has been submitted. 12) All center median planting areas as depicted on the preliminary plat and plans shall be owned by the City of Lake Elmo and maintained by the Homeowners Association. The applicant shall enter into a maintenance agreement with the City that clarifies the individuals or entities responsible for any landscaping installed in areas outside of land dedicated as public park, trails, or open space on the final plat. The developer has entered into a landscape license agreement that meets this condition for the first phase which will need to be amended to address the public art. A similar agreement will be required with the second addition and will be a condition of approval. The agreement shall be executed prior to issuance of building permits in the second phase. 13) The Final Plat and Plans must address the requested modifications outlined in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated February 18, 2015. Comments: The final plans have addressed these comments/ 14) Prior to recording the Final Plat for any portion of the area shown in the Preliminary Plat, the Developer shall enter into a Developers Agreement acceptable to the City Attorney that delineates who is responsible for the design, construction, and payment of public improvements. Comments: A developer’s agreement was entered into for the first phase and will be for the second phase. 15) The developer shall provide an easement over or dedicate in a separate outlot all trails to be dedicated for public use. Any such trails shall be considered a park land dedication provide said trails are constructed by the developer with other public improvements within the subdivision. Comments: this condition has been met. 16) The City will not approve a final plat for any portion of Wildflower until such time that the City has approved construction plans and received financial security related to the construction of the public improvement project to connect the 39th Street Sewer to the 30th Street lift station. Comments: This condition has been met and no longer applies. 17) The developer must follow all the rules and regulations of the Wetland Conservation Act, and adhere to the conditions of approval for the Valley Branch Watershed District Permit. Comments: The developers plan have been reviewed and approved by the Watershed District and grading work has been completed in accordance with this permit. 18) The developer shall maintain access to the Smith property (11514 Stillwater Boulevard North) during construction of the first development phase. Said access shall, at a minimum, be capable of supporting emergency management vehicles and be consistent with City access driveway standards. The existing driveway easement shall be vacated prior to the recording of the final 6 BUSINESS ITEM 5A plat. Comments: The driveway easement from the Smith property providing access to Stillwater Boulevard has been vacated. 19) The developer shall establish a legally binding agreement to prevent further residential o r commercial development of all outlots that are planned for open space or conservation uses within the preliminary plat. Comments: This condition has been met. Staff is recommending approval of the final plat and PUD plans with conditions intended to address the outstanding issues that will require additional review and/or documentation. RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: Staff is recommending conditions as part of this final plat review to address issues highlighted in this report that include conditions of the preliminary plat that have not been fully addressed by the applicant. The City Engineer’s review memorandum dated September 29, 2016 identifies a number of issues that need to be addressed by the developer in order for the City to deem the final plans complete. Based on the above Staff report and analysis, Staff is recommending approval of the final plat and final PUD development plans for phase two with the following conditions: Recommended Conditions of Approval: 1) The comments in the City Engineer’s review memorandum dated September 29, 2016 should be addressed prior to releasing the plat for recording. Final construction plans shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer prior to the recording of the Final Plat. All changes and modifications to the plans requested by the City Engineer in a memorandum dated September 29, 2016 and any future reviews shall be incorporated into these documents before they are approved. 2) Prior to the execution of the Final Plat by City officials, the Developer shall enter into a Developer’s Agreement acceptable to the City Attorney and approved by the City Council that delineates who is responsible for the design, construction, and payment of the required improvements for the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Development Plans with financial guarantees therefore. 3) All easements as requested by the City Engineer and Public Works Department shall be documented on the Final Plat prior to the execution of the final plat by City Officials. 4) A Common Interest Agreement concerning management of the common areas of Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition and establishing a homeowner’s association shall be submitted in final form to the Community Development Director before a building permit may be issued for any structure within this subdivision. 5) The applicant shall also enter into a landscape license/public art agreement and maintenance agreement with the City that clarifies the individuals or entities responsible for any landscaping and public art installed in areas outside of land dedicated as public park and open space on the final plat. 7 BUSINESS ITEM 5A 6) Revised landscape plan shall be submitted for review and approval consistent with recommended changes per the City’s Consulting Landscape Architect’s review memo dated February 14, 2015, prior to recording of the final plat. 7) Street signs and no parking signs shall be installed on City Streets within the development prior to any building permits being issued. 8) That street segment B, be given a name on the final plat prior to approval of the final plat by the City Council. DRAFT FINDINGS Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission consider the following findings with regards to the proposed Wildflower Final Plat and Final PUD Plans  That all the requirements of City Code Section 153.07 related to the Final Plan and Final Plat have been met by the Applicant.  That the proposed Final Plat for Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition consists of the creation of 20 single-family detached residential structures.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plan is consistent with the Preliminary Plat and Plans as approved by the City of Lake Elmo on April 7, 2014.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plan is consistent with the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map for this area.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat generally complies with the City’s Urban Medium Density Residential zoning district, with the exceptions as noted in the approved Preliminary PUD Plans and PUD Agreement.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat complies with all other applicable zoning requirements, including the City’s landscaping, storm water, sediment and erosion control and other ordinances, except as noted in this report or attachment thereof.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat complies with the City’s subdivision ordinance.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat and Final PUD Plan complies with the City’s Planned Unit Development Ordinance.  That the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition Final Plat is consistent with the City’s engineering standards with the exceptions noted by the City Engineer in his review comments to the City dated September 29, 2016 and as otherwise identified in future reviews. RECOMMENDATION: 8 BUSINESS ITEM 5A Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Final Plat and Final Development Plans for Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition with the 8 conditions of approval as listed in the Staff report. Suggested motion: “Move to recommend approval of the final plat and PUD development plans for the Wildflower at Lake Elmo 2nd Addition based on the findings listed in the staff report.” ATTACHMENTS: 1. Application and narrative 2. City Engineer Review Comments – 9/29/2016 3. Final Plat 4. Final Construction Plans 5. Preliminary Landscape Plan dated 5/28/15 6. Landscape Architect memorandum dated 2/14/15 7. Lot 4, Block 4, Wildflower at Lake Elmo 1st Addition Building Permit Survey 8. Resolution 2015-23 – approving the final plat of Wildflower 1st Addn 9. City Council minutes, 4-14-15, changing the 15’ setback to 10’ Barr Engineering Co. 4300 MarketPointe Drive, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55435 952.832.2600 www.barr.com Memorandum To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southwest of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Project: 23820020.00 2200 346 and 352 c: Susannah Torseth, Ray Roemmich, Melissa Imse, John Hanson Background and Introduction As the Managers saw during their September 22, 2016, tour, some infiltration basins on the Village Preserve site (see Figure 1) are not functioning and water levels in the floodplain downstream appear high (see Figures 2 and 3). The property owners west of the floodplain are concerned about the high water levels and standing water in the Lake Elmo Avenue ditch. The City of Lake Elmo’s Planning Commission rejected approval of the next construction phase of the Wildflower at Lake Elmo subdivision until stormwater management issues are better understood and asked Valley Branch Watershed District to study the issue and identify potential solutions. To understand the cause of the observed high water levels, we compared 2016 precipitation data to other years and reviewed the development plans and permit application models to determine if construction was done as planned and if stormwater management facilities are functioning as assumed. Based on this review, we have recommendations for corrective actions. This memo summarizes our analysis and findings. Precipitation The area received 32.29 inches of precipitation from April 1–September 30, 2016, making it by far the wettest year over the last 10 years. Between 2007 and 2015, the wettest April–September had been in 2014, with 28.54 inches of precipitation. The average during the 9-year period was 22.76 inches. Table 1 summarizes the precipitation recorded in the area. Requested Manager Action Review memo To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 2 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx Table 1 2007–2016 April–September Precipitation (inches) Year April May June July August September Total 2016 Not Available 2.20 4.290 9.30 10.41 5.82 >32.02 2.47 2.86 4.46 6.69 9.12 6.69 32.29 2015 3.02 3.59 5.29 6.11 3.69 5.32 27.02 1.99 4.16 4.34 7.07 3.07 5.55 26.18 2014 6.90 4.48 9.46 2.16 2.95 2.18 28.13 6.53 4.21 9.93 2.55 2.86 2.46 28.54 2013 5.19 5.15 9.06 2.24 0.57 1.69 23.90 5.46 5.35 9.67 1.57 1.21 1.56 24.82 2012 3.26 7.18 4.26 5.76 1.36 0.59 22.41 3.23 6.99 2.86 5.20 1.44 0.66 20.38 2011 3.58 3.11 5.58 10.6 4.85 0.71 28.43 2.13 4.07 3.40 6.98 5.11 1.02 22.71 2010 2.01 3.36 5.97 5.28 5.21 5.65 27.48 1.64 3.55 4.90 5.10 6.49 6.40 28.08 2009 1.38 0.58 2.94 2.12 7.02 0.64 14.68 0.75 0.60 3.56 2.39 7.25 0.93 15.48 2008 4.41 3.23 3.61 2.39 2.87 2.72 19.23 4.04 2.44 4.23 2.44 3.55 2.44 19.14 2007 1.51 3.62 1.17 1.06 5.75 6.52 19.63 1.85 4.06 1.32 1.32 5.95 5.00 19.50 The first row for each year is the precipitation recorded by VBWD citizen volunteer Charles Taylor at his home on the northwest side of Lake Jane, 2.5 miles west of the site. The second row is the precipitation recorded at the closest reporting station (within 2 miles of the site), accessed from http://climate.umn.edu/HIDradius/radius_new.asp. Historic Water Levels The VBWD has not measured lowland water levels. We reviewed aerial photos, but these were taken in early spring or late fall so were not helpful in determining extreme or typical summer water levels. At Wetland F (see Figure 3 for the location and the following October 18, 2016, photos), cottonwood and oak trees are standing in water. Based on their size, we estimate the trees to be 12–20 years old. While cottonwood trees are flood-resistant, oak trees are not. Therefore, water levels in the wetland have not To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 3 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx likely been sustained at this level for at least 12–20 years. Aerial photos appear to show trees along the wetland fringe in 1996, but not in 1992. This is consistent with precipitation records, which show that 2002, 1993, and 1991 were wet years; it’s probable that the trees came in after one of the wet years during 1990s when water levels in the wetland were high. To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 4 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 5 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx Drainage Patterns Figure 2 shows the pre-development drainage patterns, overflow elevations of lowlands, and the 1%-probability flood level for the area. Figure 3 shows the developed conditions drainage patterns and 1%-probability flood level for the area. Developments and Impacts Areas south of the floodplain are currently under construction. Figure 1 shows the developments in relation to the floodplain. Village Preserve and Arbor Glen Senior Living are on the west side and Wildflower at Lake Elmo is on the east side; a future cul-de-sac extends to the west, separating the floodplain from Village Preserve. Wetland A and Krueger Property The drainage area to Wetland A (see Figure 3) was reduced with development. Within the Village Preserve site, 0.6 acres of the predeveloped 1.6-acre drainage area was diverted from flowing north into Wetland A. Runoff from the remaining 1 acre (38% impervious) in the northwest corner of Village Preserve drains to an infiltration basin with a capacity of 36,800 cubic feet (Infiltration Basin 1, see Figure 3). Soils investigations prior to construction of this basin indicated infiltration rates exceeded 20 inches per hour. It was expected to drain dry within 48 hours of rainstorms with an infiltration rate of at least 2 inches per hour. Basin overflows were anticipated only during storms significantly greater than the 100-year 24-hour design storm (7.3 inches). During site visits in late August and September, Infiltration Basin 1 was found full of water. There were also signs that it had discharged to the north along Lake Elmo Avenue and into Wetland A. The water level in the basin on October 18, 2016, was approximately 1 foot below the overflow (see the following photo, where the orange cone is the overflow). Therefore, this basin is not infiltrating as designed. As noted above, it should drain dry within 48 hours of a rainstorm and should not discharge. To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 6 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx Within the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site (see Figure 1), the developer filled a low area south of Wetland A (see Figure 2). That area now drains to an infiltration basin (Infiltration Basin 300) that overflows to Wetland G (see Figure 3). This change, combined with the Village Preserve drainage change, reduced the drainage area to Wetland A by 5.1 acres. Under pre-developed conditions, runoff from the south would fill that low area; if it were to overflow, it would overflow to Wetland A. Even with the reduction in runoff storage by the elimination of the low area south of Wetland A, less runoff reaches Wetland A because of the development changes. Table 2 summarizes the drainage areas and inflow runoff volumes. To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 7 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx Table 2 Drainage Areas, Inflow Volumes, and High Water Levels of Wetland A Drainage Area from South (acres) 2-Year 2-Hour Storm Inflow Volume (acre-feet) High Water Level (feet) Pre-Development 17.9 0.98 911.9 Post-Development 12.8 0.64 911.6 High water levels were observed in Wetland A in 2014, prior to any development in the area. Given that there has been much more precipitation in 2016, the current high water levels are not surprising. And, they would likely be higher if the development had not made changes to the drainage area. Wetland A overflows to Veronica’s Pond at Elevation 914.7. The 1%-probability flood level of Wetland A is Elevation 916.9. The ground adjacent to an outbuilding on the Krueger property west of Lake Elmo Avenue is approximately Elevation 917.5. While this outbuilding should be safe from flooding, the low area between it and Lake Elmo Avenue will fill with water after large storm events and during wet-weather cycles. Figure 4 shows a close-up view of Wetland A and the Krueger property. Wetland H and G Wetland H and G (see Figure 3) receive runoff from the Arbor Glen Senior Living Facility and Village Preserve sites. Before development, runoff from the Arbor Glen Senior Living Facility and Village Preserve generally drained southeast and eventually to Downs Lake. Once complete, part of the Arbor Glen Senior Living site and all of the Village Preserve site will drain north to the Goetschel Pond watershed. The VBWD allowed this diversion because soils investigations and computer modeling showed that the diversion would not increase the 100-year flood level of the local lowlands or Goetschel Pond. Figures 5 and 6 show the pre- and post-development drainage areas. Runoff diverted from the Downs Lake watershed into the Goetschel Pond watershed drains through a series of stormwater management features before reaching the lowlands southwest of Goetschel Pond. Runoff from the Arbor Glen Senior Living site will drain to a biofiltration basin and then to the Village Preserve wet pond at the southwest corner of that subdivision. Runoff from Village Preserve generally flows in a counterclockwise pattern through wet ponds before reaching a large infiltration basin (Infiltration Basin 2) in the north-central portion of the site. Soils investigations prior to construction indicated infiltration rates at this basin exceeded 20 inches per hour. It was expected to drain dry within 48 hours of rainstorms with infiltration rates of at least 4 inches per hour. Basin overflows were anticipated only during storms significantly greater than the 10-year 24-hour design storm (4.17 inches). During site visits in late August and September, the infiltration basin was found full of water and discharging to the north (Wetland H, see Figure 6.) Therefore, Infiltration Basin 2 is not functioning as designed. If the basin were functioning properly, Wetland H and downstream wetlands on the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site would receive less runoff than they did this summer. To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 8 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx The Lake Elmo City Engineer and I have discussed the problem with the developer of Village Preserve. The developer indicated that the infiltration basin will be cleaned out (sediment removed) before the end of October. According to him, the basin was functioning well in the early part of 2016 and he expects that it will function again once cleaned out. Neither the City nor the VBWD will release surety if it does not. Wetland F Wetland F (and Veronica’s Pond) is downstream of area developments and associated stormwater management facilities under construction. While the current water level in the wetland appears to be approximately Elevation 904, 11 feet below the 1%-probability flood level, it is higher than typical. As previously described, several 8-inch-diameter and smaller oak trees, which are not flood-resistant, are in standing water. The high water level is likely because: • 2016 has been an extremely wet year. During the warm seasons of the last 60 years, only 2002, 1993, 1991, 1986, and 1978 were as wet. • Infiltration Basin 2 on the Village Preserve site discharged water that eventually reached Wetland F. It was designed to discharge only in extreme events; otherwise, no water should discharge to the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site. • Infiltration Basin 300 on the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site was not constructed to store as much runoff as planned and could have sent more runoff downstream and eventually to Wetland F. • Infiltration Basin 200 on the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site is not draining dry within 48 hours and is sending more runoff downstream. Needed Actions at Stormwater Management Facilities The developer’s engineer for the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site submitted as-built drawings. The as-builts show the grading and constructed infrastructure are generally with the appropriate tolerances with two exceptions: (1) the outlet for Infiltration Basin 300 was constructed 0.6 feet lower than planned, and (2) the bottom of Infiltration Basin 300 was constructed 0.1 foot lower than planned. Therefore, less volume is being stored in the basin. This should be corrected or additional volume control needs to be provided. Drainage patterns appear consistent with the as-built drawings and orginal plans, but Wetland G is overflowing into the Wet Pond, rather than Infiltration Basin 200. As previously noted, the infiltration basins on the Village Preserve site are not infiltrating. The developer said they will be cleaned out by the end of October 2016. On the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site, erosion problems should be corrected, builders should be more diligent about installing and maintaining erosion controls, and vegetation should be better established within the floodplain. To: Valley Branch Watershed District Board of Managers From: John Hanson Subject: Wildflower at Lake Elmo/Village Preserve/Floodplain Southw est of Goetschel Pond Date: October 19, 2016 Page: 9 P:\Mpls\23 MN\82\2382016\_MovedFromMpls_P\VBWD\2382016\MEETINGS\2016\10272016\ForDeb\Superseded\Memo_KruegersEtc_fringe.docx Conclusions Higher-than-normal precipitation coupled with non-functioning infiltration basins have created abnormally high water levels in Wetland F. Wetland A, which backs up water onto the Krueger property, also has high water levels. While an infiltration basin draining to the wetland is not functioning properly, the high water levels in Wetland A are due to higher-than-normal precipitation. The 100-year flood level of Wetland A, both before and after development, is Elevation 916.9, which appears to be just below the elevation of an outbuilding on the Krueger’s property. The developer of the Village Preserve project has committed to cleaning the non-functioning infiltration basins on the site. The developer of the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site will be informed that Infiltration Basin 200 is not functioning as designed and Infiltration Basin 300 was not constructed as designed and that corrective actions are needed. Erosion issues also need to be addressed on the Wildflower at Lake Elmo site and vegetation needs to be better established. VBWD should not release any escrow deposit until these corrective actions have been taken and proof is submitted that the projects conform to the VBWD Rules and Regulations, as described in the VBWD permit closeout process. Wildflowerat Lake Elmo VillagePreserve Arbor GlenSenior Living See Floodplainin Figures 2 & 3Veronica's Pond 44th St Stillwa t e r B l v d N Li l y Av e N LittleBlueCir N La k e E l m o A v e N La v e r n e Av e N Little BlueCir N 44 t h S t L a Li l y Av e N L i l y A v e N Lady Slipper La N 43rd St N Li t t l e B l u e S t e m T r N Little Blue Stem La 39th St N 456717 456714 Ba r r F o o t e r : A r c G I S 1 0 . 4 , 2 0 1 6 - 1 0 - 2 1 1 5 : 1 2 F i l e : I : \ C l i e n t \ V B W D \ D i s t r i c t \ W o r k _ O r d e r s \ O u t _ o f _ S c o p e \ S i t e _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p p i n g \ 2 0 1 6 _ S i t e m a p s \ S W _ G o e t s c h e l \ F i g 0 1 _ L o c a l _ D e v e l o p m e n t s . m x d U s e r : m b s 2 Developed Subwatershed Boundary Major Subwatershed Boundary Imagery: USDA NAIP, 2015 I 350 0 350 Feet Figure 1 LOCAL DEVELOPMENTSValley Branch Watershed DistrictWashington County, Minnesota *Vertical Datum: NAVD88 % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % Wetland A Low Area FilledWith Development Veronica's Pond Le a f Av e N LeafAve N 43rd St N La k e E l m o A v e N 456717 922.5 919.9 909.9 920.5 913.4 911.6 923.7 913.6 918.4 921.6 906.1 906.4 909.6904.3 914.7 917 910.8916.3 913.5916.6 921.2 916.7 914.4 913.7 920.5' 915' 916.9' 910 920 94 0 940 930 920 920 950 940 9 4 0 90 0 900 9 3 0 930 920 930 930 9 3 0 9 2 0 930 920 9 1 0 910 922 914 908 906 932 924 916 912 904 926 918 938 936 9 3 4 926 924 9 2 2 928 938936 932 92 8 926 924 922 926 922 918 916928 924 952 948 946 944 942 928926924 922 9 4 2 9 3 8 9 3 6 9 3 4 928 926 924 922 9 2 6 9 2 2 928 926 924 922 926 924 926 924922 9 2 2 9 1 6 916 912 9 0 6 9 0 2 904 92 6 9 2 4 9 2 2 91 4 9 1 2 902 938 936 9 3 2 932 924922 92 2 91 6 91 4 914 912 9 4 8 9 4 6 9 2 2 9 1 8 908 906 9 0 8 9 0 6 928 902 934 918 932 932 92 4 924 928 918 91 6 9 1 4 916 904 9 2 2 92 4 91 6 912 914 9 1 2 90 8 9 0 6 954 948 944 9 4 4 944 942 942 932 932 926 926 92 4 924 922 92 2 9 2 2 918 918 918 918 91 8 9 1 8 918 91 6 91 6 914 9 1 4912 906 926 922 Ba r r F o o t e r : A r c G I S 1 0 . 4 , 2 0 1 6 - 1 0 - 2 1 1 5 : 1 6 F i l e : I : \ C l i e n t \ V B W D \ D i s t r i c t \ W o r k _ O r d e r s \ O u t _ o f _ S c o p e \ S i t e _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p p i n g \ 2 0 1 6 _ S i t e m a p s \ S W _ G o e t s c h e l \ F i g 0 2 _ S W _ G o e t s c h e l _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p . m x d U s e r : m b s 2 %Depression Area Low Point Overflow Elevation (ft) Local Depression Boundary Inundation Extents to Local Overflow Point 100-Year Floodplain Labeled with1% Probability Flood Level (ft) Contours (DNR, November 2011) 2-Foot Contour 10-Foot Contour Imagery: Washington County, 2013 I 250 0 250 Feet Figure 2 SOUTHWEST GOETSCHELWATERSHED DETAILValley Branch Watershed DistrictWashington County, Minnesota *Vertical Datum: NAVD88 Veronica's Pond Le a f Av e N LeafAve N 43rd St N La k e E l m o A v e N 456717 910 920 94 0 940 930 920 920 950 940 9 4 0 90 0 900 9 3 0 930 920 930 930 9 3 0 920 930 920 910 910 922 914 908 906 932 924 916 912 904 926 918 938 936 9 3 4 926 924 9 2 2 928 938936 932 92 8 926 924 922 926 922 918 916928 924 952 948 946 944 942 928926924 922 9 4 2 9 3 8 9 3 6 9 3 4 928 926 924 922 9 2 2 91 8 928 926 924 922 926 924 926 924922 9 2 2 9 1 6 916 912 9 0 6 9 0 2 904 92 6 9 2 4 9 2 2 91 4 9 1 2 902 938 936 9 3 2 932 924922 92 2 91 6 91 4 914 912 9 4 8 9 4 6 9 2 2 9 1 8 908 906 928 902 934 918 932 932 92 6 9 2 4 924 928 918 91 6 9 1 4 916 904 9 2 2 92 4 91 6 912 914 9 1 2 9 0 8 9 0 6 954 948 944 9 4 4 944 942 942 932 932 926 926 92 4 924 922 92 2 9 2 2 918 918 918 918 91 8 918 91 6 91 6 914 9 1 4912 9 0 6 906 926 922 915' 915' 915' 915' 915' 915' 916.9' InfiltrationBasin200 InfiltrationBasin 300 InfiltrationBasin 2 InfiltrationBasin 1 Infiltration Wet Pond 200 Wet Pond 2 Wetland B Wetland C Wetland A Wetland G Wetland H Wetland F Wetland E Wetland D Ba r r F o o t e r : A r c G I S 1 0 . 4 , 2 0 1 6 - 1 0 - 2 0 1 4 : 4 7 F i l e : I : \ C l i e n t \ V B W D \ D i s t r i c t \ W o r k _ O r d e r s \ O u t _ o f _ S c o p e \ S i t e _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p p i n g \ 2 0 1 6 _ S i t e m a p s \ S W _ G o e t s c h e l \ F i g 0 2 _ S W _ G o e t s c h e l _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p _ D e v e l o p e d . m x d U s e r : m b s 2 Primary Overflow Secondary Overflow Wetland Wet Pond Infiltration Basin Developed Inundation Extents Labeledwith 1% Probability Flood Level (ft) Developed Subwatersheds Original Goetschel Pond Subwatershed Contours (DNR, November 2011) 2-Foot Contour 10-Foot Contour Imagery: USDA NAIP, 2015 I 250 0 250 Feet Figure 3 SOUTHWEST GOETSCHELDEVELOPED WATERSHED DETAILValley Branch Watershed DistrictWashington County, Minnesota *Vertical Datum: NAVD88 % % % % % % La k e E l m o A v e N 43rd St N 456717 919.9 914.7 917 916.3 916.6 93 0 92 0 9 3 0 920 9 1 0 92 0 920 9 4 0 920 Wetland A 9 3 8 9 3 6 9 3 4 93 2 92 8 92 6 92 4 92 2 9 1 8 91 6 91 4 91 2 92 8 92 6 92 4 92 2 918 932 914 91 6 9 1 4 9 1 2 9 0 8 92 4 92 2 91 6 916 914 922 91 4 91 2 9 1 6 9 1 4 91 4 912 91 2 906 918 9 2 2 91 6 90 4 Ba r r F o o t e r : A r c G I S 1 0 . 4 , 2 0 1 6 - 1 0 - 2 1 1 5 : 2 1 F i l e : I : \ C l i e n t \ V B W D \ D i s t r i c t \ W o r k _ O r d e r s \ O u t _ o f _ S c o p e \ S i t e _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p p i n g \ 2 0 1 6 _ S i t e m a p s \ S W _ G o e t s c h e l \ F i g 0 4 _ L a k e _ E l m o _ A v e _ D e t a i l . m x d U s e r : m b s 2 %Depression Area Low Point Overflow Elevation (ft) Inundation to 914.7 Feet(Overflow Elevation) Inundation to 916.9 Feet(100-Year Flood Level) Developed Subwatersheds Original Goetschel Pond Subwatershed Culvert (Approximate Location) Contours (DNR, November 2011) 2-Foot Contour 10-Foot Contour Imagery: Washington County, 2013 I 80 0 80 Feet Figure 4 LAKE ELMO AVENUE DETAILValley Branch Watershed DistrictWashington County, Minnesota *Vertical Datum: NAVD88 ! KruegerOutbuilding Veronica's Pond Li l y Av e N 44th St Lit t l e Blu e Cir N L e a f A v e N Stillwa t e r B l v d N LittleBlueCir N Li l y Av e N La k e E l m o A v e N La v e r n e A v e N 44 t h S t L a L i t t l e B l u e S t e m T r N Li l y A v e N Lady Slipper La N Little B l u e S t e m L a 43rd St N 39th St N 456717 456714 920 94 0 90091 0 94 0 9 5 0 92 0 9 5 0 940 930 930 930 940 93 0 930 940 940 92 0 9 3 0 910 930 910 930 930 9 3 0 930 920 920 90 0 890 9 3 0 930 910 9 0 0 906 904 922 918 916 924 914 926 908 938 9 2 2 91 2 90 8 9 0 2 8 9 8 8 9 6 8 9 2 904 894 91 4 93 8 9 3 4 9 3 2 926 924 928 922 944 932928 924 92 6 92 2 9 6 2 9 5 8 9 5 6 9 5 4 9 4 8 94 6 92 8 926 924 922 92 4 9 4 8 9 4 6 952 944 942 946 942 938 936 942 9 3 8 928926 922 924 922 942 938 938 934 932 934 926 922 918 932 928 928 924 9 1 6 914 906 904 942 93 6 9 3 6 934 938 93 6 932928 926 922 922 922 918 914 912 9 3 6 93 4 92 8 92 6 926 9 2 4 9 3 4 92 8 912 9 0 2 91 8 9 1 6 918 952 944 934 924 9 1 2 96 8 934 932 91 2 948 93 2 9 2 8 9 2 2 9 1 8 9 1 6 90 8 902 934 932 928 924 922 9 1 8 91691 6 914 9 1 4 9 1 2 908 904 902 95 4 954 94 6 948 94 6 9 4 4 94 4 944 942 936 9 3 6 936 9 3 2 932 934 93 2 928 928 928 926 924 926 926 9 2 4 92 2 92 4 9 2 4 922 922 922 922 918 916 918 91 8 918 916 9 1 6 9 1 6 914 9 1 4 91 2 91 2 912 90 8 9 0 8 906 906 9 0 6 9 0 6 9 0 6 Wetland B Wetland C Wetland A Wetland G Wetland H Wetland F Wetland E Wetland D Ba r r F o o t e r : A r c G I S 1 0 . 4 , 2 0 1 6 - 1 0 - 2 0 1 4 : 4 4 F i l e : I : \ C l i e n t \ V B W D \ D i s t r i c t \ W o r k _ O r d e r s \ O u t _ o f _ S c o p e \ S i t e _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p p i n g \ 2 0 1 6 _ S i t e m a p s \ S W _ G o e t s c h e l \ F i g 0 5 _ P r e D e v e l o p m e n t _ D r a i n a g e _ A r e a s . m x d U s e r : m b s 2 Pre-Development Subwatershed Boundary Downs Lake Watershed Goetschel Pond Watershed Contours (DNR, November 2011) 2-Foot Contour 10-Foot Contour Imagery: Washington County, 2013 I 400 0 400 Feet Figure 5 PRE-DEVELOPMENTDRAINAGE AREASValley Branch Watershed DistrictWashington County, Minnesota *Vertical Datum: NAVD88 Veronica's Pond Li l y Av e N 44th St Lit t l e Blu e Cir N L e a f A v e N Stillwa t e r B l v d N LittleBlueCir N Li l y Av e N La k e E l m o A v e N La v e r n e A v e N 44 t h S t L a L i t t l e B l u e S t e m T r N Li l y A v e N Lady Slipper La N Little B l u e S t e m L a 43rd St N 39th St N 456717 456714 InfiltrationBasin 200 InfiltrationBasin 300 InfiltrationBasin 2 InfiltrationBasin 1 InfiltrationBasin 100 Infiltration Infiltration Wet Pond 200 Wet Pond 2 Wet Pond 3 Wet Pond 4 Wet Pond 100 Wetland B Wetland C Wetland A Wetland G Wetland H Wetland F Wetland E Wetland D Ba r r F o o t e r : A r c G I S 1 0 . 4 , 2 0 1 6 - 1 0 - 2 0 1 5 : 1 3 F i l e : I : \ C l i e n t \ V B W D \ D i s t r i c t \ W o r k _ O r d e r s \ O u t _ o f _ S c o p e \ S i t e _ O v e r v i e w _ M a p p i n g \ 2 0 1 6 _ S i t e m a p s \ S W _ G o e t s c h e l \ F i g 0 6 _ P o s t D e v e l o p m e n t _ D r a i n a g e _ A r e a s . m x d U s e r : m b s 2 Wetland Wet Pond Infiltration Basin Developed Subwatershed Boundary Downs Lake Watershed Goetschel Pond Watershed Imagery: UDSA NAIP, 2015 I 400 0 400 Feet Figure 6 POST-DEVELOPMENTDRAINAGE AREASValley Branch Watershed DistrictWashington County, Minnesota *Vertical Datum: NAVD88 PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: 11/14/2016 AGENDA ITEM: 5B– BUSINESS ITEM CASE #2016-45 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Review To: Planning Commission From: Stephen Wensman, Planning Director Meeting Date: October 24, 2016 Applicants: Reviewed By: HC Golf Course Development, LLC Ben Gozola, City Planner Deadline for Action: Application Complete – 09/12/2016 60 Day Deadline – 11/11/2016 Extension Letter Mailed – Yes 120 Day Deadline – 01/10/2017 Introductory Information Request: As a follow up to the recent concept plan review for the Royal Golf Club, the applicants have requested the City consider a comprehensive plan amendment to accommodate potential sewer extensions and sewered development within the area bounded by the Old Village to the north, Lake Elmo Avenue to the west, and 10th Street to the South. Planning Commission Direction: At their meeting on October 24, 2016, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to discuss the comprehensive plan amendment, then tabled the item to the November 14, 2016 meeting in order for Staff to draft a “Golf Course Community” land use designation to guide the former Tartan Park area for the Commission’s consideration. Since the October 24th meeting, Ben Gozola, Consulting City Planner, has drafted a new land use designation as requested which is attached to this Staff Report. Review Proposed Changes: The attached comprehensive plan amendment consists of 4 changes to the comprehensive land use plan: 1) On page III-9, a new land use category is created called “Golf Course Community” that identifies the former Tartan Park as a local and regional Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Golf Course Community Planning Commission Report; 11-14-16 Page 2 amenity the City wishes to maintain with any development proposal for the property. The new category suggests a future new zoning district. 2) On page III-11, Table 3-B has been updated to reflect proposed density of 1.5- 2.49 and planned land use acreages. 3) Map 3-3 (not included) will be an updated planned land use map. 4) On page III-14, “Preservation of Community Amenities” was added which further describes the need and intent of the “Golf Course Community” land use designation. 5) MUSA amendment will also be needed (not included). Conclusion The Planning Commission is asked to review the proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan, and provide guidance on changes or additions for Council to consider. The recommended motion is: “Move to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan amendment to create a new land use designation called “Golf Course Community” with updated maps and figures” Attachments  “Golf Course Community” comprehensive plan amendment.  October 24, 2016 Planning Commission planning packet. Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 8 This section of the Land Use chapter establishes the City’s official land use categories and the official Future Land Use Map. The map assigns planned land use types to all parcels within the community to guide current and future planning and development through the year 2030, and is the official land use designation map for the City. The assigned land use designations are intended to shape the character, type and density of future development according to sound planning principles. Any new development, redevelopment, change in land use or change in zoning is required to be consistent with the official land use guidance for each parcel. The official land use plan categories are as follows: RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT – This category represents the large areas of rural residential development within the City. Common uses found in these areas include working farms, alternative agricultural uses as defined by City Code, and rural single family detached residences. Development in these areas requires 10+ acres, or a conditional use permit to authorize a cluster development meeting the City’s Open Space Preservation regulations. Densities are allowed up to 0.45 dwelling units per buildable acre when planned as part of an Open Space Preservation development. No new areas of rural area development are being established by the official land use plan. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): A, RR, OP] RESIDENTIAL ESTATE – This category defines areas developed specifically for large lot single family detached housing typically on 2+ acres of land. No new areas of residential estate are being established by the official land use plan. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): RE] RURAL SINGLE FAMILY – This category defines a large portion of the City that was historically platted for conventional subdivision prior to 2005, but has been and will continue to be serviced by private on-site well and septic systems. Limited locations within this classification are allowed to have two-family dwellings based on zoning. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): R-1, R-2] URBAN LOW DENSITY – The Urban Low Density land use category is intended primarily for single-family detached housing serviced by public sewer and water. This category allows net residential densities from two and one-half (2.5) to four (4) units per acre. Significant new areas of urban low density are guided both within the Old Village and along I-94. [Corresponding Zoning District: LDR] URBAN MEDIUM DENSITY – The Urban Medium Density land use category allows net residential densities from four and one-half (4.5) to seven (7) units per acre; with greater densities only allowed if deemed appropriate and approved through the PUD process and that meet incentives for density bonus as allowed under the PUD ordinance . This category allows for a variety of housing types including single-family detached, duplexes, townhomes, and small two- and three-story apartment buildings and/or senior living centers. Significant new areas of urban medium density are guided both within the Old Village and along I-94. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): R-3, MDR] Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 9 URBAN HIGH DENSITY – The Urban High Density land use category is intended for higher density, compact urban residential development. This category allows for a net residential density range of seven and one-half (7.5) to fifteen (15) units per acre; however zoning may allow a greater net density if approved through the PUD process. The appropriate building height will vary by development and depend upon the characteristics of the development and its surroundings. In addition to residential development, a small proportion of supportive retail and service is also appropriate in this land use category. Retail, service and office beyond those supporting the residential development would only be permitted as part of a mixed-use planned unit development. Significant new areas of urban high density are guided both within the Old Village and along I-94. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): HDR] GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY – In recognition that a Golf Course on the land known as Tartan Park is a local and regional amenity the City wishes to maintain, this specialized land use category has been crafted to maximize the likelihood that a golf course can be maintained on the property should a development proposal for the land come forward. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): GCC] LIMITED BUSINESS – This category defines areas within the City that are allowed to host commercial land uses at a more restricted level than would typically be allowed within a commercially guided area and in areas that are not planned for public sanitary sewer services. No new areas of limited business are being established by the official land use plan. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): LB, LC] COMMERCIAL – This category is intended to accommodate a wide range and scale of commercial uses (such as retail, service, entertainment, and office) throughout the City’s planned urban centers. Commercial uses can range from small neighborhood convenience nodes, to community retail areas along major roadways, to large shopping centers, to auto-related commercial uses along freeways. Residential uses are also appropriate as part of a mixed-use commercial development where allowed, with unit densities being determined by either the identified range within the comprehensive plan or to a level deemed appropriate by a planned unit development process. Significant new areas of commercial land use are guided both within the Old Village and along I-94. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): C, CC, GB] BUSINESS PARK – The Business Park land use category is intended to encourage the creation of significant employment centers that accommodate a diverse mix of office and light industrial uses and jobs. Specific desired attributes of this land use include a diversity of jobs, high development densities and jobs per acre, high quality site and building architectural design, and increased tax revenues for the community. Office, office showroom/warehousing, research and development services, light and high- tech electronic manufacturing and assembly, and medical laboratories are typical uses appropriate for this land use category. Some retail and service uses may be allowed as supporting uses for the primary office and light industrial uses of the employment center. In addition to the Eagle Point Business Park, much of the land between Manning Ave and Keats Ave adjacent to I-94 is guided for this land use classification. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): BP] Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 10 PUBLIC/PARK – This category defines lands that include publicly owned facilities, places of worship, public parks, and privately owned recreational facilities. The scale and types of uses allowable on public/park lands are controlled by the city’s conditional use permit process. No new areas of public/park space are currently designated by the new land use plan, but it is recognized that such areas will be created during the development process, and the land use map will need to be updated accordingly. [Corresponding Zoning District(s): P, OSP] ROAD R.O.W.s – This category encompasses all areas dedicated specifically for use as road right-of-way. It should be noted that not all roads in Lake Elmo are on platted right-of-way, but are rather accommodated by easements over other land use categories. Accordingly, there is more land dedicated to use by roads than is depicted on the existing/planned land use table. New development will be required to dedicate right-of-way to accommodate the proposed road network. OPEN WATER – This category includes all land area in Lake Elmo covered by open water lakes and ponds as identified in the DNR Public Waters Inventory. No new areas of open water are by the official land use plan. The distribution of planned land uses on the official Future Land Use Map is shown on Map 3-3 and is summarized in Table 3-B: Mixed Uses Within the Old Village and in areas south of 10th Street, specific areas are targeted for potential mixed- use development; however, this designation means different things in both districts. Mixed Uses within the Old Village The mixed use designation on property within the Old Village indicates development must adhere to the specific zoning requirements established for mixed use development within the City Code. This type of development will typically see residential, commercial, office, and/or similar uses combined in complimentary ways within the same building. Mixed Uses south of 10th Street The mixed use designation on property south of 10th Street is intended to spur development by providing maximum flexibility on future land uses, thereby allowing a development proposal to cater to existing market conditions. In the areas designated as possible mixed-use on the Future Land Use Map (Map 3-3), the City’s planning process has identified that either the base land use or the adjacent land use designation would be appropriate for the site. These mixed-use areas may be zoned in accordance with the base land use category, or the adjacent land use category provided that: • Any such zoning will only be allowed if it is contiguous to property in an adjacent land use category; and • The Urban Low Density Residential land use category will not allowed as an alternative land use within mixed-use areas. Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 11 Alternatively, a combination of the uses allowed within the base land use category and future land uses adjacent to a mixed use area may be allowed through a planned unit development process. Table 3-B Existing and Planned Land Use Table Land Use Residential Density (units/acre) Existing Land Use (acres) Planned Land Use (acres) Planned Land Use Changes (anticipated acreages in 5 year increments)3 Change (acres) Min Max City wide (Village)1 2012 to 2015 2015 to 2020 2020 to 2025 2025 to 2030 R E S I D E N T I A L Rural Area Development n/a 0.1 7094.24 5249.9 6640.66 6157.06 5703.53 5249.9 ‐1844.32 Residential Estates 0.1 0.4 771.26 793.71 776.87 782.49 788.10 793.71 22.45 Rural Single Family 0.66 2.0 1665.92 1666.41 1666.04 1666.16 1666.28 1666.41 0.49 Urban Low Density 2.5 4 0.00 496.39 124.10 248.20 372.29 496.39 496.39 Urban Medium Density 4.5 7 176.08 390.49 229.68 283.29 336.89 390.49 214.41 Urban High Density 7.5 15 0.00 157.67 39.42 78.84 118.25 157.67 157.67 Village Urban Low Density 1.5 2.49 0.00 244.11 61.03 122.06 183.09 244.11 244.11 Village Urban Medium Density 2.5 4.99 0.00 119.11 29.78 59.56 89.33 119.11 119.11 Golf Course Community 1.5 2.49 0.00 424.39 0 424.39 424.39 424.39 424.39 C O M M E R C I A L 2 Business Park 7.5 15 120.65 329.69 172.91 225.17 277.43 329.69 209.04 Commercial 4.5 7 99.86 208.33 126.98 154.10 181.22 208.33 108.47 Limited Business – – 111.41 66.16 100.09 88.78 77.47 66.16 ‐45.25 Village Mixed Use 5.0 10.0 0.00 164.40 41.10 82.20 123.30 164.40 164.40 P U B L I C / S E M I P U B L I C / O P E N S P A C E 3 Public/Park – – 3298.94 2944.93 3309.04 2924.72 2934.78 2944.93 -354.01 Greenbelt Corridor4 – – 0.00 82.67 20.66 41.34 62.01 82.67 82.67 Road ROWs – – 890.93 890.93 890.93 890.93 890.93 890.93 0.0 U N D E V E L O P E D Open Water – – 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 0.0 TOTALS: – – 15,584.58 15,584.58 15,584.55 15,584.55 15,584.55 15,584.55 0.0 1 Residential uses within the “Business Park” and “Commercial” land use designations can only occur in areas specifically designated for mixed use on the planned land use map 2 It is recognized that both park and road ROW areas will expand as new development occurs, but such acreage is accounted for in the respective development land use types as such land areas must contribute towards required development densities. 3 The staging plan for future development is fluid and will allow development to occur as market conditions dictate. Because of this, specific timing for development of any specific land use category is not possible. For the purposes of this table, the anticipated acreage changes are incrementally broken down into four periods of time showing a consistent rate of change between now and 2030. 4 The acreage of the greenbelt corridor areas, which are portions of the Village Open Space Overlay, that are adjacent to urban zoning districts were calculated to account for the remaining acreage in the Village. The other portions of the Village Open Space Overlay are accounted for through the base land use guidance (i.e. Rural Area Development or Rural Single Family). Need updated Planned Land Use Map 3-3 showing Tartan Park and Emerson as Golf Course Community Update Legend Accordingly Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 13 Design Standards Following completion of the Comprehensive Plan, the City will adopt design standards to ensure the look and feel of future development is compatible with the community vision of a small town within a rural setting. Standards for building materials, building articulation, design variety and other requirements should be upheld to ensure the quality of the built environment is distinctly Lake Elmo. Preservation of Rural Character One of the main benefits of the official land use plan is that the long range planning objective to retain a permanent rural identity is achieved. Under the memorandum of understanding with the Metropolitan Council, a vast majority of the City will be allowed to maintain its rural character and existing land uses. Furthermore, concentrating urbanization adjacent to I-94 and within the Old Village will result in clear boundaries between the urban and rural portions of the community. Beyond that, the City’s desire to protect its sensitive park lands is also achieved. Both Lake Elmo Regional Park and Sunfish Lake Park will continue to be surrounded by agricultural lands and will not be impacted by encroaching urbanization. Preservation of Community Amenities Lake Elmo Regional Park, Sunfish Lake Park, and other public lands covered by conservation easements will be centerpieces of the City in the decades ahead, and are accordingly guided for public/park land uses by this comprehensive plan. One community amenity that does not share the same certainty of continuance is the Tartan Park Golf Course formerly owned by 3M. As a 50-year fixture both for Lake Elmo and the eastern metro, the Tartan Park Golf Course has become a destination within the community that is worth saving if at all possible. To that end, the City has guided nearly 430 acres of land in and around the present golf course as “Golf Course Community.” This special land use guidance is intended to provide incentives—such as increased residential density and access to municipal sewer— to future landowners who are willing to maintain and improve upon the golf course amenity rather than develop the land as a standard OP rural development. A new “Golf Course Community” zoning district will establish the development standards for this land use classification. Future Land Use Boundaries The curved lines separating future land uses on Map 3-3 midway between I-94 and 10th Street indicate one possible alignment of a future east/west collector roadway envisioned to serve the new development in this area of the City. Future development proposals and their associated engineering studies will ultimately determine the exact alignment of this collector roadway. The final boundary between the proposed different land uses shall ultimately be set by the final location of the east/west collector roadway, whether or not this roadway deviates from the approximate location shown. Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 14 Buffering/Land Use Transitions The City’s Land Use Plan calls for a diverse range of development types, from very low density agricultural and rural residential uses to high density urban residential and commercial development. In order to provide for a transition between the existing and planned rural development and future urban development, the Land Use Plan creates a lower density urban residential district. This low density urban district is planned for areas near existing rural development areas, and will provide for an area of transition between higher density residential development and either existing or planned rural development areas. Certain areas designated as Public/Park on the Future Land Use Map (Map 3-3) have been established to provide a green belt/buffer between areas developed under a previous Comprehensive Plan at rural development densities and areas planned for residential development at higher densities. This green belt will be incorporated as part of any development plans for new development with a minimum width of 100 feet. The green belt may be incorporated as part of the greenway envisioned in the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan (Chapter IX). Open Space Preservation The City will encourage the preservation of open space within new developments through the dedication of public parkland and the clustering of lots within urban residential districts. The specific zoning development standards for the City’s urban residential districts will allow the platting of smaller lots that will allow open space to be set aside in each development while still achieving the overall minimum density guidance for each land use area. Staging Plan/Memorandum of Understanding The City of Lake Elmo entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Metropolitan Council prior to the preparation of its 2005 Land Use Plan and this MOU remains in effect to ensure the City’s conformance to metropolitan system statements as required by state law. This MOU has since been revised; however, to take into account a severe downturn in the housing market and to grant the City of Lake Elmo additional flexibility in meeting the population, household, and employment targets from the original MOU. Table 3-C summarizes the updated development staging plan that will be used to measure conformance to the MOU. This table is broken down into five year increments starting in 2010 and continuing forward to the end of the planning period in 2030. The targets from the original MOU have been moved back five years to reflect the economic downturn and the extension of time to meet the mandated REC unit counts consistent with the requirements of the revised MOU. The population and household targets at the end of the 2030 planning period have not been adjusted and reflect the numbers approved in the MOU. EX I S T I N G PR O P O S E D Existing Planned2010 to  20152015 to  20202020 to  20252025 to  2030 R E S I D E N T I AL Ru r a l A r e a Ru r a l A r e a De v e l o p m e n t n/ a 0 . 1 70 9 4 . 2 4 5 2 7 9 . 9 2 66 4 0 . 6 6 6 1 8 7 . 0 8 5 7 3 3 . 5 5 2 7 9 . 9 2 ‐18 1 4 . 3 2 De v e l o p m e n t n/ a 0 . 1 7094.24 5249.9 6640.66 6157.06 5703.53 5249.9 ‐1844.32 Re s i d e n t i a l Re s i d e n t i a l Es t a t e s 0. 1 0 . 4 77 1 . 2 6 7 9 3 . 7 1 77 6 . 8 7 7 8 2 . 4 9 7 8 8 . 1 7 9 3 . 7 1 22 . 4 5 Es t a t e s 0. 1 0 . 4 771.26 793.71 776.87 782.49 788.1 793.71 22.45 Ru r a l S i n g l e Ru r a l S i n g l e Fa m i l y 0. 6 6 2 16 6 5 . 9 2 1 6 6 6 . 4 1 16 6 6 . 0 4 1 6 6 6 . 1 6 1 6 6 6 . 2 8 1 6 6 6 . 4 1 0. 4 9 Fa m i l y 0. 6 6 2 1665.92 1666.41 1666.04 1666.16 1666.28 1666.41 0.49 Ur b a n L o w Ur b a n L o w De n s i t y 2. 5 4 0 4 9 6 . 3 9 12 4 . 1 2 4 8 . 2 3 7 2 . 2 9 4 9 6 . 3 9 49 6 . 3 9 De n s i t y 2. 5 4 0 496.39 124.1 248.2 372.29 496.39 496.39 Ur b a n M e d i u m Ur b a n M e d i u m De n s i t y 4. 5 7 17 6 . 0 8 3 9 0 . 4 9 22 9 . 6 8 2 8 3 . 2 9 3 3 6 . 8 9 3 9 0 . 4 9 21 4 . 4 1 De n s i t y 4. 5 7 176.08 390.49 229.68 283.29 336.89 390.49 214.41 Ur b a n H i g h Ur b a n H i g h De n s i t y 7. 5 1 5 0 1 5 7 . 6 7 39 . 4 2 7 8 . 8 4 1 1 8 . 2 5 1 5 7 . 6 7 15 7 . 6 7 De n s i t y 7. 5 1 5 0 157.67 39.42 78.84 118.25 157.67 157.67 Vi l l a g e U r b a n Vi l l a g e U r b a n Lo w D e n s i t y 1. 5 2 . 4 9 0 2 4 4 . 1 1 61 . 0 3 1 2 2 . 0 6 1 8 3 . 0 9 2 4 4 . 1 1 24 4 . 1 1 Lo w D e n s i t y 1. 5 2 . 4 9 0 244.11 61.03 122.06 183.09 244.11 244.11 Vi l l a g e U r b a n Vi l l a g e U r b a n Me d i u m 2. 5 4 . 9 9 0 1 1 9 . 1 1 29 . 7 8 5 9 . 5 6 8 9 . 3 3 1 1 9 . 1 1 11 9 . 1 1 Me d i u m 2. 5 4 . 9 9 0 119.11 29.78 59.56 89.33 119.11 119.11 De n s i t y De n s i t y go l f co u r s e 1. 5 2. 4 9 0 424.39 0 424.39 424.39 424.39 424.39 C O M M E R C I AL 2 Bu s i n e s s P a r k 7. 5 1 5 12 0 . 6 5 3 2 9 . 6 9 17 2 . 9 1 2 2 5 . 1 7 2 7 7 . 4 3 3 2 9 . 6 9 20 9 . 0 4 Bu s i n e s s P a r k 7. 5 1 5 120.65 329.69 172.91 225.17 277.43 329.69 209.04 Co m m e r c i a l 4. 5 7 99 . 8 6 2 0 8 . 3 3 12 6 . 9 8 1 5 4 . 1 1 8 1 . 2 2 2 0 8 . 3 3 10 8 . 4 7 Co m m e r c i a l 4. 5 7 99.86 208.33 126.98 154.1 181.22 208.33 108.47 Li m i t e d Li m i t e d Bu s i n e s s – – 11 1 . 4 1 6 6 . 1 6 10 0 . 0 9 8 8 . 7 8 7 7 . 4 7 6 6 . 1 6 Bu s i n e s s – – 111.41 66.16 100.09 88.78 77.47 66.16 Vi l l a g e M i x e d Vi l l a g e M i x e d Us e 51 0 0 1 6 4 . 4 41 . 1 8 2 . 2 1 2 3 . 3 1 6 4 . 4 Us e 51 0 0 164.4 41.1 82.2 123.3 164.4 P U B L I C / S E MI P U B L I C / Pu b l i c / P a r k – – 32 9 8 . 9 4 33 3 9 . 3 33 0 9 . 0 4 33 1 9 . 0 9 33 2 9 . 2 33 3 9 . 3 40 . 3 6 Pu b l i c / P a r k – – 3298.94 2944.93 3309.04 2924.72 2934.78 2944.93 -354.01 Gr e e n b e l t Gr e e n b e l t Co r r i d o r 4 –– 0 8 2 . 6 7 20 . 6 6 4 1 . 3 4 6 2 . 0 1 8 2 . 6 7 82 . 6 7 Co r r i d o r 4 –– 0 82.67 20.66 41.34 62.01 82.67 82.67 Ro a d R O W s – – 89 0 . 9 3 8 9 0 . 9 3 89 0 . 9 3 8 9 0 . 9 3 8 9 0 . 9 3 8 9 0 . 9 3 0 Ro a d R O W s – – 890.93 890.93 890.93 890.93 890.93 890.93 0 U N D E V E L O PE D Op e n W a t e r – – 13 5 5 . 2 9 1 3 5 5 . 2 9 13 5 5 . 2 9 1 3 5 5 . 2 9 1 3 5 5 . 2 9 1 3 5 5 . 2 9 0 Op e n W a t e r – – 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 1355.29 0 TO T A L S : – – 15 , 5 8 4 . 5 8 1 5 , 5 8 4 . 5 8 15 , 5 8 4 . 5 5 1 5 , 5 8 4 . 5 5 1 5 , 5 8 4 . 5 5 1 5 , 5 8 4 . 5 5 0 TO T A L S : – – 15,584.58 15,584.58 15,584.55 15,584.55 15,584.55 15,584.55 0 15584.58 15584.58 15584.58 15584.58 15584.58 Land  Uses  Reductions:‐2243.6 Land  Use  Additions: 2243.6‐45.25 164.4 R E S I D E N T I A L C O M M E R C I A L 2 ‐45 . 2 5 16 4 . 4 P U B L I C / S E M I P U B L I C / O P E N S P A C E 3 U N D E V E L O P E D PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: 10/24/2016 AGENDA ITEM: 4B__– PUBLIC HEAR ITEM CASE #2016-45 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Review To: Planning Commission From: Ben Gozola, City Planner Meeting Date: October 24, 2016 Applicants: Reviewed By: HC Golf Course Development, LLC Stephen Wensman, Planning Director Deadline for Action: Application Complete – 09/12/2016 60 Day Deadline – 11/11/2016 Extension Letter Mailed – No 120 Day Deadline – 01/10/2017 Introductory Information Request: As a follow up to the recent concept plan review for the Royal Golf Club, the applicants have requested the City consider a comprehensive plan amendment to accommodate potential sewer extensions and sewered development within the area bounded by the Old Village to the north, Lake Elmo Avenue to the west, and 10th Street to the South. Council Direction: At their meeting on September 6th, 2016, the City Council weighed a number of questions regarding the proposed Royal Golf Club concept plan, and ultimately determined that consideration of potential ways to accommodate the proposed development to preserve the Golf Course was in the best interest of the City as a whole. Staff was specifically instructed to craft a “Village Transition Area” as opposed to creating a new land use classification and zoning district should the applicants apply for a change to the comprehensive plan. As such an application was received on 09/12/16, staff prepared the proposed language with the following Council direction as our guide:  Craft an amendment that allows for utilization of the Village Urban Low Density land use classification within a “Village Transition Area” ONLY if specific criteria are met.  Future development must be via PUD to ensure adherence to the 1.5 to 2.5 units per acre density range. Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Village Transition Area Planning Commission Report; 10-24-16 Page 2  Protection of Shoreland district land and/or wetlands within this area of the community should be a principle factor in determining when sewered development will be considered.  Significant acreage should be required prior to consideration of a sewered development within the new Transition Area.  Recognize that individual lots and/or neighborhoods (who are not seeking to develop) may also request sewer extensions if/when the extension of sewer service is economically feasible. Review Proposed Changes: To implement the requested comprehensive plan change, staff is suggesting amendments to two (2) areas of the City’s Land Use Plan: 1. Map 3-3, Planned Land Use, would be updated to show the boundaries of a “Village Transition Area” in the eastern portion of the community between the Old Village and 10th Street; and 2. The Land Use Plan language on “Buffering/Land Use Transitions” would be updated to acknowledge the Village Transition Area and the criteria that must be met prior to sewer being made available for existing properties or environmentally sensitive development. The specific changes being proposed can be seen on the draft language attached to this report. Staff comments within the margins of the draft ordinance explain why each of the various provisions were included. Conclusion The Planning Commission is asked to examine the proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan, and provide guidance on changes or additions for Council to consider. Commission Options: Staff fully acknowledges that the Planning Commission (as part of Concept Plan review) did not support the City Council’s direction on a potential comprehensive plan change, and the Commission is certainly free to reiterate that position at this time. However, given that Council is already on record supporting a change, staff must also ask the Commission to honor Council’s decision by providing comment and feedback on the proposed changes in the event Council wishes to move forward with an amendment despite a Commission recommendation to the contrary. Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Village Transition Area Planning Commission Report; 10-24-16 Page 3 (cont.) The Planning Commission, therefore, is asked to follow these steps in making your recommendation: 1. Determine whether the Commission as a whole wishes to recommend denial of a comprehensive plan amendment in general. a. If YES, the Commission may choose to adopt such a recommendation with findings, but must still proceed to Step #2 of the recommendation process below. b. If NO, the Commission should proceed to Step #2 of the recommendation process below. 2. Given Council’s show of support for a potential comprehensive plan amendment during the Concept Plan review, determine what (if any) changes are needed to the proposed language currently under consideration. The dotted outline on the map would identify the new “Village Transition Area” within which the extension of sewer would be considered under a specific set of circumstances outlined on the following two pages. Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 13 Design Standards Following completion of the Comprehensive Plan, the City will adopt design standards to ensure the look and feel of future development is compatible with the community vision of a small town within a rural setting. Standards for building materials, building articulation, design variety and other requirements should be upheld to ensure the quality of the built environment is distinctly Lake Elmo. Preservation of Rural Character One of the main benefits of the official land use plan is that the long range planning objective to retain a permanent rural identity is achieved. Under the memorandum of understanding with the Metropolitan Council, a vast majority of the City will be allowed to maintain its rural character and existing land uses. Furthermore, concentrating urbanization adjacent to I-94 and within the Old Village will result in clear boundaries between the urban and rural portions of the community. Beyond that, the City’s desire to protect its sensitive park lands is also achieved. Both Lake Elmo Regional Park and Sunfish Lake Park will continue to be surrounded by agricultural lands and will not be impacted by encroaching urbanization. Future Land Use Boundaries The curved lines separating future land uses on Map 3-3 midway between I-94 and 10th Street indicate one possible alignment of a future east/west collector roadway envisioned to serve the new development in this area of the City. Future development proposals and their associated engineering studies will ultimately determine the exact alignment of this collector roadway. The final boundary between the proposed different land uses shall ultimately be set by the final location of the east/west collector roadway, whether or not this roadway deviates from the approximate location shown. Buffering/Land Use Transitions The City’s Land Use Plan calls for a diverse range of development types, from very low density agricultural and rural residential uses to high density urban residential and commercial development. In order to provide for a transition between the existing and planned rural development and future urban development, the Land Use Plan creates a lower density urban residential district. This low density urban district is planned for areas near existing rural development areas, and will provide for an area of transition between higher density residential development and either existing or planned rural development areas. Certain areas designated as Public/Park on the Future Land Use Map (Map 3-3) have been established to provide a green belt/buffer between areas developed under a previous Comprehensive Plan at rural development densities and areas planned for residential development at higher densities. This green belt will be incorporated as part of any development plans for new development with a minimum width of 100 feet. The green belt may be incorporated as part of the greenway envisioned in the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan (Chapter IX). And finally, it is recognized that land north of 10th Street, east of Lake Elmo Avenue, and south of the Old Village is uniquely situated between the City’s two main urban centers. This area has been identified as the Village Transition Area (see Map 3-3) in recognition of the area’s varied residential lot sizes (ranging from 0.31 acres to 57.22 acres), and the fact that all properties in this area have (or will likely have) Commented [BGA1]: This first paragraph identifies why the City is establishing a Village Transition District: it’s an area uniquely situated between the City’s two urbanizing areas that will, over time, have affordable and easy access to sewer. Accordingly, it is in the City’s best interest to acknowledge that hook up requests will be made, and to establish the criteria under which such extensions may be granted. Lake Elmo Comprehensive Plan Chapter III – Land Use Plan III – 14 direct access to municipal sewer services over time. Within the Village Transition Area, the City may treat a parcel (or grouping of parcels) as being guided for Village Urban Low Density if at least one of the following criteria are satisfied and no further development of the property is proposed: 1. The land in question is subject to a failing septic system, and extension of the sanitary sewer system is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of adjacent properties. 2. The parcel (or parcels) in question have petitioned the City requesting an extension of municipal services, and the extension project has been approved by the City Council. Additionally within the Village Transition Area, the City may treat a parcel (or group of contiguous parcels) as being guided for Village Urban Low Density for the purpose of development if ALL of the following criteria are satisfied: 1. A minimum of forty (40) contiguous acres is considered for development at one time or is planned for phased development; 2. A minimum of one-half of the gross acres proposed for residential development is within a Shoreland District; 3. All Shoreland district requirements for development can be successfully met without variances; 4. Development is completed as a Planned Unit Development that conforms with the allowable density range established for the Village Urban Low Density land use classification; 5. The development incurs all costs for the extension of municipal services, the cost for oversizing as may be needed for further extensions into the Village Transition Area, and/or for upgrades to the existing municipal system as may be needed to service the proposed development. Open Space Preservation The City will encourage the preservation of open space within new developments through the dedication of public parkland and the clustering of lots within urban residential districts. The specific zoning development standards for the City’s urban residential districts will allow the platting of smaller lots that will allow open space to be set aside in each development while still achieving the overall minimum density guidance for each land use area. Staging Plan/Memorandum of Understanding The City of Lake Elmo entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Metropolitan Council prior to the preparation of its 2005 Land Use Plan and this MOU remains in effect to ensure the City’s conformance to metropolitan system statements as required by state law. This MOU has since been revised; however, to take into account a severe downturn in the housing market and to grant the City of Lake Elmo additional flexibility in meeting the population, household, and employment targets from the original MOU. Table 3-C summarizes the updated development staging plan that will be used to measure conformance to the MOU. This table is broken down into five year increments starting in 2010 and continuing forward to the end of the planning period in 2030. Commented [BGA2]: This first component of the district recognizes that parcels (or neighborhoods) over time may be near existing sewer, and may request the ability to hook up to the municipal system. In such an event, the landowners would follow the City’s standard process to petition for (and pay for) improvements, and if approved, the City could complete the public improvements without having to amend the comprehensive plan to change the underlying land use guidance. The two criteria before sewer could be extended are the need to address health/safety/welfare concerns, OR addressing a legal petition brought forward by an individual land owner or neighborhood. Both of these scenarios WILL arise in the coming years as landowners and neighborhoods weigh the cost of replacing aging septic systems against the cost of municipal services. This language will ensure the City can consider their requests. Commented [BGA3]: The second component of the proposed language acknowledges that some land within the Transition Area is developable, and that sewered development is in the City’s best interest when certain criteria exists: -- Given the City’s history with communal septic systems, larger developments (i.e. in excess of 40 acres) should be considered for sewer if/when available; -- Protecting the City’s shorelands is a major priority of the City, so a minimum of one-half of the gross area proposed for residential development must be within the Shoreland district, and all Shoreland provisions must be met; -- Development could only occur via a PUD within the allowed density range established for the Village Urban Low Density land use category; -- All costs for extending municipal services would be born by the developer Suggested Royal Golf CPA Findings – submitted by Todd Williams, Planning Commissioner Findings for comp plan amendment to accommodate Royal Golf Club 1. The applicant has requested a change in the Lake Elmo Comp Plan to allow expansion of the MUSA north of 10th St to include his property between 10th St and 20th St, so that it may be developed into residential development served by Metro sewer and City water, along with a golf course. 2. Lake Elmo has approved for this property a concept of golf course surrounded by residential development, but at some unspecified lower density than was proposed by the applicant in the Concept Plan 3. The subject property is currently guided for Public/Park, which includes outdoor recreational uses, such as a golf course. Any residential development on this property will require a Comp Plan amendment. 4. All investments made to date by the applicant to purchase and modify the property are solely at the applicant’s risk. The city of Lake Elmo is under no obligation to assure any return to the applicant from these investments. 5. Lake Elmo city was required in 2005 to amend its Comp Plan to include installation of Metro public sewer to comply with the Metro Council mandates for total sewered units, total population, and total employment. These MUSA areas were limited to south of 10th St and to the Old Village. 6. The current Comp Plan guides sufficient MUSA without any expansion required to comply with the earlier mandates and current “targets” as provided by the Metro Council in 2016 for sewered units, population and employment. 7. Lake Elmo has a long-standing and continuing vision of unsewered, large lot, rural residential development outside the existing MUSA. From page III-1 of the Land Use Plan of 2013, “Lake Elmo’s land use plan is guided by its core vision of creating and maintaining a rural community within the Metropolitan region.” 8. Residential development of the applicant’s property utilizing Metro sewer would include small lots and high densities inconsistent with Lake Elmo’s vision of rural development outside the existing MUSA. From page III-7 of the Land Use Plan of 2013, “The remainder of the community north of 10th Street and surrounding the Old Village will continue Lake Elmo’s long tradition of providing rural living opportunities within the Metropolitan area.” 9. The surrounding communities of Afton, West Lakeland, Baytown and Grant allow residential development with large lots and on-site sewage disposal. There appears to be a continuing market for such development. 10. The applicant’s property borders on large lot residential development without public sewer in Lake Elmo and West Lakeland, including 1.5 acre lot, Rural Single Family and OP development in Lake Elmo. 11. Residential development at 18/40 units/acre with on-site sewage disposal is a legitimate use of the applicant’s property. Such development can be done under the OP (Open Space Preservation) section of the Lake Elmo zoning code. Some increase in density might be allowed per the inclusion of amenities, as listed in 154.754 of the City Zoning Code. 12. The primary reason provided in support of the Comp Plan amendment with MUSA extension (according to the applicant) is to enable the golf course by allowing dense, sewered residential development around the course. The golf course by itself does not require a comp plan amendment or sewer. Suggested Royal Golf CPA Findings – submitted by Todd Williams, Planning Commissioner 13. The applicant has claimed that dense residential development with Metro sewer connection is required in order for the golf course to be financially feasible. No evidence, other than the applicant’s words, has been presented to support this claim. 14. Stoneridge Golf Course in West Lakeland, Logger’s Trail in Grant and Stillwater Oaks in Grant, cited as nearby examples, are public courses surrounded by homes on 2.5 acre and larger lots with on-site septic systems. They seem to be successful businesses without sewered development around them. Mr. Cavner has stated, “Golf courses, if run properly, do very, very well.” 15. A large fraction of the proposed development is within the legislative “shoreland overlay district” and the entire development is subject to shoreland regulations from the state and from the City of Lake Elmo. 16. MN Rules 6120 regulates shoreland district development at the state level. 17. Section 154.800, Lake Elmo Shoreland Ordinance and MN Rules 6120 (6120.3800.subp 5.B.2A) require at least 50% of the entire area to be preserved as open space for a residential PUD in the shoreland district. 18. The golf course is an acceptable use of the 50% open space required under MN Rules 6120 and satisfies Lake Elmo’s OP and PUD zoning ordinances if the open space is preserved in a conservation easement per OP and MN Rules regulations. However, according to Dan Petrik, land use specialist with the DNR, the club house, parking lot and required setbacks (as if it were on a separate lot) are considered “commercial” uses and not permitted within the required open space. According to Petrik, the City has no choice in this. 19. MN Rules 6120-3800, Subp 5.B.3.a states: “Residential planned unit developments must be connected to publicly owned water supply and sewer systems, if available.” According to Dan Petrik, land use specialist with the DNR, the local governmental unit determines if the publicly owned systems are “available. 20. The same MN Rules section also states: “On-site water supply and sewage treatment systems must be centralized and designed and installed to meet or exceed applicable standards or rules of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.” According to Dan Petrik, land use specialist with the DNR, a City-owned, multi-unit, shared septic system in OP development and in the shoreland district is an acceptable “publicly owned sewer system.” Also, such an on-site disposal system is an acceptable use of the required open space. 21. Aaron Jensen of MN PCA says that if a system is properly designed, installed, managed and maintained, there is no known limit to the lifetime of individual residential septic systems or of multi-unit shared residential septic systems. 22. The City of Lake Elmo has experience with owning facilities (e.g., landscaped medians) but having an HOA maintain them. Such an arrangement could be used for the multi-unit on-site sewage disposal facilities in this development. 23. The City has experience owning, managing and maintaining multi-unit on-site sewage disposal facilities, such as the “201” system for Legion Ave and others. Such an arrangement could be used for the multi-unit on-site sewage disposal facilities in this development. 24. While a golf course in this location might be a nice amenity, its existence is not sufficient reason to violate Lake Elmo’s vision of large lot, rural residential development outside the existing MUSA boundaries. There are 18 public golf courses and at least 4 private courses within just 10 straight line miles of City Hall. See the attached map. There is no “need” for another course. 25. The applicant’s property may be developed into a golf course and residential development consistent with the City’s OP standards and density (18/40 units per acre plus possible bonuses Suggested Royal Golf CPA Findings – submitted by Todd Williams, Planning Commissioner for amenities) utilizing City-owned, multi-unit on-site sewage disposal. No evidence has been presented which says that such development is not possible under existing regulations. Commissioner Todd Williams Comments RECREATION COMMUNITY This category is being created in response to an unanticipated situation which has arisen concerning the land formerly known as Tartan Park, located north of 10th St and east of Lake Elmo Ave, formerly owned by 3M Company. This land has been used and guided as Park/Public Facility for the last half century. Many homes in the RS, OP and RE (Eden Park, Homestead, Tartan Meadows) categories have been built on land surrounding Tartan Park, with the assumption that the existing recreational and open space uses would continue in perpetuity. However, that land has recently been sold and the new owner has proposed a combination of golf course and surrounding urban residential development. Extension of public utilities including water and sewer has been requested. This extension would be into an area not previously guided for inclusion in the City’s MUSA. This specific development request has triggered consideration of this type of development throughout the City. It is recognized that this development pattern, here and elsewhere in the City, may provide the City’s residents with recreational benefits (not only golf, but potentially also other recreational facilities such as tennis courts and sports fields, but not motorized uses, such as powered dirt bikes or go carts) not otherwise available. However, it is also recognized that such developments are likely to be proposed in areas not previously guided for inclusion in the City’s MUSA. Requiring the developer to pay all costs of City water and sewer extensions will likely restrict such proposals to areas near the existing City MUSA. Because such a development would be called a recreation facility-centered “community”, sewered residential densities in the range of Village Urban Low Density (1.5-2.5 units/acre) or Urban Low Density (2.5-4 units/acre) are anticipated. Such densities will likely result in some disruption to the lifestyle experienced by any existing nearby residential development at significantly lower densities, such as OP and RE. The required MUSA extension is also in conflict with the City’s explicit vision of rural residential development on large lots with on-site sewage treatment outside the existing MUSA. The increased density of homes will contribute to increased traffic, noise, general congestion and demand for City services, while contributing to the City’s tax base. In addition, nearby existing residents on large lots will be at an increased danger of being forced to connect to City sewer, even if their septic systems are functioning well and they have no wish to connect to City sewer. Finally, there will exist the possibility of the developer’s converting the recreational facilities into more sewered housing at VULD or ULD densities in the future. Thus, there is a tradeoff between the City’s residents gaining access to new and/or unique recreational facilities and the City’s residents losing some of the rural lifestyle for which they moved to the City in the first place. In return for these potential disruptions of their preferred rural lifestyle, the existing residents will receive an assurance that such disruption will not be increased (such as by conversion of recreational facilities into more sewered housing) for many years into the future. Thus, on balance it is in the City’s interests to accommodate this type of development but to regulate it in a sensible way. Therefore, the City has created a new land use category called “recreational community” or RC, comprising recreational facilities of some kind, largely surrounded by residential development of some kind. The City may treat a parcel or group of parcels as being guided for RC land use if ALL of the following criteria are satisfied: Commissioner Todd Williams Comments 1. A minimum of 100 contiguous acres (60 acres without a golf course) is considered for development at one time or is planned for phased development. 2. All Shoreland district requirements for development can be successfully met without variances. 3. Development is completed as a Planned Unit Development that conforms to the allowable residential density range established for the Village Urban Low Density or Urban Low Density land use classification. 4. A minimum of one half of the gross acres is devoted to recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, sports fields, fitness centers, swimming pools, open space and the like, as well as accessory uses such as club house and parking. 5. All recreational facilities must be accessible to the public, optionally for a fee set by the controlling entity, such as the developer or a common interest community (home owners’) association. 6. The area used for recreational facilities must be subject to a conservation easement, assigned to the City, for a minimum of 25 years, after which the land may revert to the Rural Transition (RT) guidance, at the owner’s option. 7. The development incurs all costs for the extension of municipal services of water and sewer, the cost for oversizing as may be needed for further extensions, and/or the cost for upgrades to the existing municipal system(s) as may be needed to service the proposed development. BUSINESS ITEM 5c PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: 11/14/16 AGENDA ITEM: 5C– DISCUSSION ITEM ITEM: Residential Districts – Allowed Density SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Wensman, Planning Director REVIEWED BY: Emily Becker, City Planner. Kristina Handt, City Administrator. BACKGROUND: During a recent City Council meeting, after the approval of the Open Space Preservation ordinance amendment, there was discussion regarding the subdivision of property in the rural zoning districts in to smaller lots than what is currently allowed. The discussion referenced other discussions in the past regarding this same matter. The subdivision of property into 2.5 acre lots is limited to the Residential Estates zoning district, and such zoning is limited in the City to a small area. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Plan guides only a small new area as residential estate. The City Council is requesting that the Planning Commission discuss the expansion of 2.5 acre or similar sized lot development in the rural districts. PLANNING ZONING ISSUES: Current Minimum Lot Size Standards The table below outlines the minimum lot area (in acres) required for properties within Rural Districts. RT A RR RS RE 20 40 10 1.5 2.5 Open Space Preservation Developments The recently approved Open Space Preservation ordinance requires a minimum land area of a nominal contiguous 20 contiguous acres for an open space planned unit development. The land must also be located in the Rural Residential, Agricultural or Residential Estate zoning districts. Any property that is in these zoning districts but does not or cannot meet the 20 acre-minimum 2 BUSINESS ITEM 5c requirement through combining with adjacent parcels cannot further develop as an OP development. Subdivision of these parcels would be limited to the lot sizes specified in the table above. Such parcels are outlined in the attached map. The current limitation on rural estate development in favor of OP development is consistent with the current comprehensive plan policy and vision statements: “Encourage the majority of the new households created in areas north of 10th Street north and outside the Village Area to be efficiently developed in a rural context in the form of Open Space Development cluster neighborhoods.” “Lake Elmo’s land use plan is guided by its core vision of creating and maintaining a rural community within the Metropolitan region.” “The remainder of the community north of 10th Street and surrounding the Old Village will continue Lake Elmo’s long tradition of providing rural living opportunities within the Metropolitan area.” The new (OP) Open Space Preservation Ordinance allows cluster development on properties 20 acres or greater. Previous Planning Staff had conducted an analysis to determine the potential number of housing units that could be developed in the Agriculture and Rural Residential zoning districts under the OP Ordinance when the minimum acreage was 40 acres. The total acreage zoned identified (less 15% assumed unbuildable) was multiplied by (.45) to determine the number of households. The number of households possible under the old ordinance was 524. Staff did a similar exercise identifying lots between 20 and 40 acres in size have determined that the new ordinance would allow an additional 494 households to be developed under the OP Ordinance, or a total of 1,018 households. Old OP Ordinance - Min 40 Acres Required Zoning District # of Parcels Total Acreage # of Households Total Acreage - assuming 15% unbuildable area # of Households (realistic) A 8 586.28 263.826 498.338 224.2521 RR 13 783.24 352.458 665.754 299.5893 524.00 3 BUSINESS ITEM 5c New OP Ordinance - Min 20 Acres Required Zoning District # of Parcels Total Acreage # of Households Total Acreage - assuming 15% unbuildable area # of Households (realistic) A 20 941.57 423.7065 800.3345 360.150525 RR 45 1721.24 774.558 1463.054 658.3743 1018.00 Possible Increase in # of households by allowing Min 20 Acres for OP Development (1018-524 = 494) 494 The remaining rural properties, 20 acres or less in size, are unable to develop into OP developments. These properties are currently limited to 1 unit per 10 acres under Rural Residential zoning, or 1 unit per 40 under Agriculture zoning. If the City were to allow rural properties, 5-20 acres in size, to develop into 2.5 acre lots, as could be done under Residential Estates zoning, the city might see an additional 418 households. Zoning District # of Lots 5-20 acres Potential Increase in Number of Lots Under 2.5 Acre Minimum Standard for lots 5-20 acres A 29 81 RR 136 337 418 (new households)* *(new lots - parent lots subtracted) Total rural growth under with the new OP ordinance and if the city were to allow 2.5 acre minimum lots elsewhere in the rural districts would be approximately 1,436 households, which would result in potentially 556 more unsewered households and 1,329 more unsewered population than forecasted for 2040. (Met Council Forecasted Unsewered Households = 3,679) (2014 MC Est. Unsewered Households = 2, 865 – 66 sewered lots = 2,799 rural households) (Future rural households with OP and 2.5 acre zoning = 2,799 +1,436 (new rural households) = 4,235 households) 4,235 – 3,679 = 556* (MC Forecasted Unsewered Pop. 8792/MC Forecasted Unsewered HH of 3679 = 2.39) 1,329 2015 System Statement. MN State Statute requires cities to have comprehensive plans that are in conformity with metropolitan system plans. The Metropolitan Council approves such plans and has issued a system statement which provides:  forecasted population, households, and employment through the year 2040; 4 BUSINESS ITEM 5c  guidance on appropriate densities to ensure that regional services and costly regional infrastructure can be provided as efficiently as possible.  affordable housing need allocation; The 2015 System Statement for Lake Elmo was issued by the Met Council in 2015 with forecasts for the next comprehensive plan update: 2010 (actual) 2014 (est.) 2020 2030 2040 Population 8,061 8,594 10,500 14,100 18,200 Households 2,776 2,865 3,800 5,300 7,100 Employment 1,941 2,366 2,900 3,350 3,800 The Metropolitan Council has also determined the regional need for low and moderate income housing for the decade of 2021-2030. Lake Elmo’s share of the region’s need for low and moderate income housing is 508 new units affordable to households earning 80% of area median income (AMI) or below. Of these new units, the need is for 27 affordable households earning at or below 30% of AMI, 179 affordable to households earning 31% to 50% of AMI, and 302 affordable to households earning 51% to 80% of AMI. These forecasts are for new units which translates to a Met Council requirement to have land area guided for Medium Density and High Density Residential in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Affordable Housing Need Allocation for Lake Elmo At or below 30% AMI 27 31 to 50% AMI 179 51 to 80% AMI 302 Total Units 508 As part of forecasted growth, a percentage of it is required to be sewered growth: Forecast Year Forecast Component Population Households Employment 2010 MCES Sewered 0 0 623 2010 Unsewered 8,061 2,776 1,318 2020 MCES Sewered 2,912 1,059 2,338 2020 Unsewered 7,588 2,741 562 2030 MCES Sewered 6,160 2,240 2,788 2030 Unsewered 7,940 3,060 562 2040 MCES Sewered 9,408 3,421 3,238 2040 Unsewered 8,792 3,679 562 RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending Planning Commission discuss allowing smaller lots in the Rural Districts. 5 BUSINESS ITEM 5c ATTACHMENTS:  Map of properties zoned Agricultural, Rural Residential, and Residential Estate under 20 acres. Properties Zoned Agricultural, Rural Residential, or Residential Estate <20 Acres in Size Legend A, RR, and RE Parcels < 20 Acres NewZoning A RE RR Development Status Sheet Final Plat ApprovalDA Agreement DA Agreement Plat Recorded Updated 11/9/16 Approved Signed Total #Total # of Total # of Building CO's Southern Developments Developer Builder Of Homes SF Homes Townhomes Permits Issued Issued Zoning SAVONA - 310 Total Savona 1st 2/18/2014 5/20/2014 6/18/2014 9/25/2014 Lennar Lennar 44 44 0 42 39 LDR Savona 2nd 9/16/2014 9/16/2014 10/22/2014 4/14/2015 Lennar Lennar 67 45 22 52 43 LDR/MDR Savona 3rd 9/15/2015 9/15/2016 9/16/2015 11/19/2015 Lennar Lennar 120 21 99 52 18 LDR/MDR Savona 4th 3/15/2016 4/5/2016 6/27/2016 Lennar Lennar 78 78 0 0 0 LDR 309 188 121 146 100 BOULDER PONDS - 162 Total Boulder Ponds 1st 4/21/2015 4/21/2015 5/16/2015 6/5/2015 OP 4 Boulder Ponds Creative Homes 47 47 0 18 9 PUD/LDR Boulder Ponds 2nd 5/17/2016 OP 4 Boulder Ponds Creative Homes 18 18 0 0 0 PUD/LDR 65 65 0 18 9 HUNTER'S CROSSING - 51 Total Hunter's Crossing 1st 7/1/2014 10/7/2014 10/15/2015 12/18/2014 Ryland/Cal Atlantic Cal Atlantic 22 22 0 21 18 LDR Hunter's Crossing 2nd 5/5/2015 5/5/2015 5/29/2015 8/4/2015 Ryland/Cal Atlantic Cal Atlantic 29 29 0 26 18 LDR 51 51 0 47 36 INWOOD - 537 Total Inwood 1st 5/19/2015 5/19/2015 6/9/2015 8/3/2015 Hans Hagen/MI Homes MI Homes 40 40 0 39 36 PUD/MDR Inwood 2nd 9/1/2015 11/19/2015 11/23/2015 Hans Hagen/MI Homes MI Homes 21 21 0 21 20 PUD/MDR Inwood 3rd 4/19/2016 5/3/2016 5/16/2016 Hans Hagen/MI Homes MI Homes 68 68 0 27 0 PUD/MDR Inwood 4th 10/18/2016 Hans Hagen/MI Homes MI Homes 60 60 189 189 0 87 56 HAMMES ESTATES - 163 Total Hammes Estates 1st 10/7/2014 8/16/2016 8/16/2016 Rachael Development 57 57 0 0 0 LDR 57 57 0 0 0 DIEDRICH/REIDER - 46 Total 12 month extension to Final Plat Deadline to 12/1/16. Northern Developments EASTON VILLAGE - 217 Total Easton Village 1st 3/3/2015 3/3/2015 7/23/2015 8/10/2015 Chase Development Multiple 71 71 0 24 11 LDR 71 71 0 24 11 VILLAGE PRESERVE - 91 Total Village Preserve 1st 5/5/2015 6/2/2015 8/3/2015 8/25/2015 Gonyea Homes Multiple 46 46 0 19 8 LDR Village Preserve 2nd 4/19/2016 8/16/2016 8/19/2016 9/9/2016 Gonyea Homes Multiple 45 45 0 0 0 LDR 91 91 0 19 8 WILDFLOWER - 145 Total Wildflower @ Lake Elmo 1st 7/21/2015 8/4/2015 8/27/2015 10/6/2015 Engstrom Companies Multiple 60 60 0 17 7 PUD/MDR 60 60 0 17 7 Cummulative Totals 893 772 121 358 227 VILLAGE PARK PRESERVE - 100 Total extension to Final Plat Deadline to 4/15/17. On hold