HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-30-2013 CCMCity Council Workshop Minutes
Present: Mayor Pearson, Council Members Smith, Park, Bloyer, and Member-Elect Nelson
Also Present: City Admin Zuleger, Director of Planning Klatt, City Planner Johnson, City Clerk Bell, Nadine
Obermeuller planning, Julie Fliflet OVWG, Steve DeLapp OVWG, Todd Williams Planning, Kathy haggard
Planning, Rolf Larson Planning, harry mehlander
Meeting was brought to order at 5:46 P.M.
Park moved to approve agenda smith 2nd passed 4-0
Julie Fliflet presented overview of old village land use map on behalf of the OVWG
Land use plan are intended to be flexible. Plan is not final workgroup plan. OVWG invites input.
Anne Smith gave overview of the discussions held with MetCouncil regarding densities. The point was
that the average densities had to be met, but the city was able to meet those as it saw best.
Mayor Pearson identified that Harry Melander had arrived and that the work group would continue
following
Dean introduced harry. All attendees were introduced. Harry gave overview of his background. Harry
opened it up for questions.
Mayor pearson explained that the city would like to have a downgrading of the target growth goals.
Dean asked what the likelihood was that the council would provide relief in the targets based on the
good faith efforts by the city and the lack of metro growth. Harry said while he cannot speak for the
metc, it could be possible and that each situation would be examined independently.
Smith expressed her positive feelings toward the progress since 2005. Smith wants Le’s Rep to be
positive. Harry affirmed that MEtc’s staff is positive
Harry commented that the issue of mass transit was expanding. Mayor pearson asked how the impact
of the western suburbs play into that. A discussion was had about the uniqueness of east side. Both
sides only have so much expansion discussed the impact of western Wisconsin has on the area. Growth
is a factor for the future, but currently limited to 7 county metro.
Sewer and failing septic systems. Groundwater is becoming a very important issue. Discussion was had
about how the groundwater and the impact of density growth played against each other. Currently the
Metc does not have authority to address groundwater despite the conversations being had.
Wally asked about SAC charges paid to metc. Are there any reductions or credits available. Harry
explained that metc has std charge and that each city has
Todd Williams asked about waste impact fee. Believes that LE has made good effort in planning. He
wants metc to eliminate waste impact fee.
Discussion was had about the potential opportunities LE presents. Can be great.
Ross chapin architect advised to check out.
Harry was asked about his housing/development market expectations. He explained timing is important.
Affordable housing -- council expect that LE subsidize? Cannot answer that. Is the “booyah” of financing.
Nick asked about harry’s experience with the WashCo HRA. Harry said majority of housing was below
market rate, but not substantially low.
metCouncil is trying to be flexible. Region is changing. He will be on council for a couple more years.
Meeting was recessed at 6:54 P.M. Reconvened at 7:00 P.M.
Mayor asked for opinions on proposed plan. Like the notion of flexibility. Concerned about the location
and timing of the proposed village green. Appreciate amount of time ovwg has spent on it.
Justin also thanked the ovwg. Expressed his desire to see a more detailed map. Dean clarified that the
land use map needs to go to the planning commission so it can be sent to metc. The purpose for tonight
was to work toward to the land use plan. discussion was had
Nelson wants the plan to be market driven. Developers can come in and determine what works. Has
concern about mixed use designation. discussion was had about mixed use. Klatt gave definition and
clarification about mixed use. Discussion about the location of village green pros & cons. Smith
explained that the plan is for long-term and to allow it to grow naturally.
Smith said she was aware of potential developers coming, but design standards are not determined yet.
It was asked if there was a specific location of the green. It was explained that staff has recommended to
not get too specific. Dean again explained the purpose is approving the land use plan
The cored development area was further clarified. There will be greater approval requirements by city
for that area.
Park proposed that the city work with developers to build a green.
Nadine like lions park and fire stn staying put. Wants city hall moved there in 20 years. Is concerned
about the government selecting winners and losers when acquiring property.
Todd believes 2.5 acres for green is plenty.
John Schiltz is disappointed in how long it has taken to progress. There is more leaving than coming in.
backwards in business. Pays large amount of taxes for little services. Wants city to consider main street
more. Questions impact of focusing on other parts of village. people who have to survive in lake elmo
are never asked. Only residents who oppose growth and change are asked what they want.
Smith explained that the economy played a large role in the delay, not effort by the council and
Bloyer and pearson want lake elmo ave to be focus.
Kathy said that the recent resident input struggled to identify what is the “downtown”.
Take aways:
1) Get brown area out
2) Push central core
3) Articulate better with developers our mission of open space
Wally reemphasized that plan needs to be market driven and that city must focus on LE ave. should not
force the park land by the railroad tracks.
Steve limitations of le ave. pkg, distance
Dean asked if anyone has any issues with the proposed map and densities
Kathy asked if there is too much mixed use.
Nick explained PUD planned use development. Growing trend in metro area. The reason is that the base
zoning does not allow specific uses and PUD is a tool to overcome those limitations.
Wally asked about the high density zone. Was explained that we did not want to downzone previously
zoned property.
Ovwg tried to keep the green location near to LE ave with as little impact on existing properties.
Group consensus was that the distribution of density was acceptable.
Group consensus was that the designation of land use zoning was acceptable.
The park land designation was discussed for a baseball complex . staff recommended keeping the
designation. The buffer area should also be kept, but staff expects to average the areas instead of
requiring linear straight lines.
Questions were asked of the green space and buffer areas. Nick explained the reasons. Smith noted that
there had to be certain percentage of open space.
Bloyer asked about the timeline of the sewer. Deadline to be paid for is Oct 2014. Jack sauys 18 months,
dean thinks quicker. Maybe 11-12 months. Could be done in 14 mos. Plan has to go to adj communities
and then metc by march.
Discussion was had regarding the $1,000,000 auar
A discussion of parties’ expectations of the location and future city hall was had.
Another discussion was had regarding the village green
Staff was directed to write the language for the comp plan and then council/commission can critique it.
Adjourned at 9:36PM