HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18-79 CCMCITY Cr LAKE, ELMO COMPRUIENSM PLAN HEARING, JULY 18, 1979
Mayor Armstron convened the meeting at 7:45 P.M. Councilors present, Morgan
Johnson, Mottaz and Pott. Also present Planner, Rob Chelseth and Administrator
Whittaker
Bob Chelseth reveiewed the map for the audience. Recommended PZC changes were
noted, on the map.
AUDIENCE:
Mr. Boyle requested the Planner to identify and explain the ag areas.
Mr.. Granni.s - Hutchinson property representative - Given to understand that con-
sideration would be give to industrial needs if in opinion of City Council the
area was suited for. it. I3is client has approximately 100 a on each side of the
railroad tracks and is adjacent to the airport. Questioned if he is wrong in
assuming this area will remain changed to ag as indicated on the map and not be
considered for commercial or industrial., Mr. Chelseth indicated in this area
there would not be any i.ndustrial unless it was related to ag. This is what the
plan says.
Albert Eberhart - is a farmer who has lived here 51 years, He feels the plan is
discriminatory to those who have held their land open and have not sold to developers.
Why should his land be devalued in order for those who were not born here to look
at, He is against this type of forced. donation. This is a deliberate attempt to
block the sale of land. He believes the CityCouncil has an obligation to those
who have lived here and have held their property open. He requests the Council
come up with a plan that is fair and just to all.
Martin Cohn - requested Mr. Bill Schaub speak - The Comp Plan as he reads it is
from now until 1990. By using such a time frame the City is not showing any long
range planning. He recommended the planned use for the Commercial Industrial area
remain such. Also the 500 ft. deep strip does not represent the entire area as
has been discussed in previous years. Be feels this is a mistake. If the plan
does not address post 1990 properties will be sold thus chopping up the land
and causing later problems with road patterns and homes, thus losing the possibility
of going back and fulfilling some the -the long range planning desired by the City.
He recommends the Council plan some long range goals for Commercial and Industrial
areas pre 1990 and suggests the concept of PUD to allow development to occur .
Mr. Martin Cohn - Federal Land Co - The land the Federal Land Co. owns has been
held for ten years. They have not attempted to have it rezoned; and have attempted
to be responsible land owners of Lake Elmo. He feels this plan pulls the rug
out from -these land owners who have held their property for so many ,years.
Don Regan - Suburban Bus - Their property is on the WE corner of Hwy 12 and Co. 17,
They have utilized and held this land for 8� years -as a school bus terminal. At
-the time of purchase they were told this was a permitted use for this property.
He questions the status of -this parcel in regard to improvements. They will not
require sewer and water. Be has .requested Briggs and Morgan to communicate with
the City and. the Council on their position.
Maynard Hier - Agrees 100 with Bill Schaub°s recommendation for an ultimate de-
velopment plan. Feels property owners should know what to expect in 1990-95 and
2000, Prime Ag land in Lake Elmo is minimal and what money is received from
its rent is too low to pay the taxes. This plan does not take into consideration
three changes, energy, labor supply and inflation. A petition signed by 80 resident
land owners was presented to the Council. Requests.the Council listen to what these
people have to say and come,up with a better camp plan.
Mayor Armstrong - requested the audience to mention specific changes and uses.
Conrad Adams - Read a letter he presented to the Council. He is not opposed to
the plan but wishes consideration be given to water problems within the City. Ile
suggests a storm water drainage plan through Lake E].mo.
J. R. Stocksted - Pinneman, Inc. - Agrees with the previous statements. All of
the planning in the past has been carried through since the 60°s. All the planning
along 94 has been for uses that are now not going to be allowed. Suggests there
be some thought and .planning for uses along the % corridor.
City Council' Comprehensive Plan Hearing, July 18, 1979 --2-
J, R. Stocksted - No provisions have been made for use along the corridor and
interohange locations, Previous plans called for other uses. The areas changed
would allow less intensive use of the land. Iie feels this amounts to taking of
j the land without compensation„
Fki Stevens evens -• resident of Fake Elmo for 18 years and owns 12 acres, Addressed the
advertisement of local. Lake Elmo Businessmen in the Free Press, Peels the majority
of .residents live here but work elsewhere, Lake Elmo is a bedroo. community, He
questioned how many of the businessmen and employees live in Lake Elmo, Indicated
1/2 do not. Creating jobs in Lake Elmo does not mean those who live here will
work here, Taxes - greater development of the community does not yield greater
taxes to the community. He for one would like to keep Lake Elmo rural,
Desires no change in the plan, desires to keep town as it is or would. desire
very slow change. This present Council ran on this objective and that is why
they were elected..
Robert Zirtman - Lives along highway 36 - has lived in the community 28 years,
Ite would like to see the 36 corridor develop along, commercial lines. He is
presently farming the property but desires -to sell, Feels this plan is a
condemnation of his property as it is not suited ;for residential and commercial
use is not allowed. Land along Highway should be rezoned commercial,
William Boylan - newcomer to the area, has lived here two years. Would like to -
direct his comments to the PZC and the City Council, Peels the plan must be fair
and just for all residents. Peels some of the proposed zoning is not fair and just.
Senior citizens have held their property for retirement. Suggests the City maintain
the 5 acre develpment area in order to keep the open area for those who enjoy it.
Gene Peltier - farmer - property owner, on hwy. 12. - If the City is going to keep
the area rural they need farmers to farm it. 2 to 3 Property owners left that own
and farm their property. 909/ or better is owned by developers or investors; The
big move to save the farmers and ag land is over 25 years too late. Ile does not
feel it is possible to renew the interest and get the farmers back. Rent on the
property may just cover taxes. (questioned why the Council and PZC axe against
progress® Peels it is inevitable Lake Elmo will get sewer and he would like to
see it in his life time. Requests the Council reconsider its proposed land uses,
Mr. Vince Douglas - Lake Elmo businessman - no provisions made for and no consid-
eration give to the businessman in Lake Elmo, do live in Lake Elmo. Just
because some do not live in Lake Elmo does not mean we do not have a strong vested
interest here. Presented Council with a petition opposing the proposed plan.
Mr, Grannis - representing Mr. Hutchinson owner of approximately 250 acres
Mr, Hutchinson purchased the property about 20 years ago as an investment, He
has relied on the history of the zoning in this city and has kept the parcel open.
He feels strongly that his acreage is prive industrial land. 'The property is bordered
south bg 212 to the east by 'the airport and the Chicago Northwestern bisects the
property. A natural gas pipe line runs n & S through -the property. To the west
is the old village. This area has been designated an industrial zone by the
Industrial Devekpment Department and was so zoned before Lake Elmo became a City.
Feels it would be a great injustice to Irk. Hutchinson to lose the value of his
property that he has held for 20 years on the basis of the proposed use by this
City.
Gordon B ornson - Understood the PZC and City Council had approvei the 36 corridor
and then dropped the proposal, Now this plan is proposed. Mayor Armstrong indi-
cated that at one time this was a proposal but nothing was finalized. Feels the
City will only gain with this type of zoning. The land in this area is not good
for farming and he sees no hardship on Lake Elmo -to d?si,-mate this commercial.
e, He requested the Council not t+ocforget..;the residents a:.o.ng highway 36.
Peter Hutchinson - Dayton Hudson - D-H owns 1000 acres in sections 27 & 28 and
I 33 and 34, IIe presented the Council with a copy of the letter sent to the PZCp
also a prepared map of their holdings inside and outside the M[JSA line, IIe feels
Lake Elmo has potential for continued growth and the capabilities to accomodate it.
Indicated that sewer service can be made available to the community; 'The pIn denies
all these possibi.lies, The plan says sewer will. not be avaa .a e be or 7�
CITY COUNCIL, COMPREfTENSIVE PLAN HEARING, JULY 18, 1.979 —3—
Peter Hutchinson —Dayton Pudson— Plan goes on to assume growth is based on the
assumption that sewer will not be available, before 1990. Questioned desirability
of increasing growth, developemnt and density in an area where there is already
a problem, flooding Arad water. Presented a, copy of the final draft of the comp
plan with specific su#>Testions concerning use inside and outside the MTJSA line.
Bob Souls — 3M -- At this time he was not prepared to make a final response. 3M
received no notification. Based on his inability to respond 3M is in opposition
to this plan at this time. Desires to meet with the City Planner and have a chance
to review the proposed plan. Requested the public hearing be kept open until
they have an opportunity to respond.
Bruce Odlar* — United Properties — Mr. Od,lag submitted a letter from Mr. Stensby
with specific .recommendations. Desires this letter be made part of the record.
for the City Council and the PZC. They recommend the City develop and use their
sewer capacity. Their property is designated residential on the plan, but across
the street Is a motel and existing commercial, is at the other end. Residential
should not be proposed inbetween. Depth of the commercial should be increased.
Development extension is propbsed..post 1990'. They feel this extension should be
now. They also feel a 500fto depth strip will create unruly and poor planning;.
A conservancy area is also indicated for their pracel. The reason being the
topography of their property. They believe other areas have moderate constraints
due to the topography eg. areas where services roads are proposed to be. They
recommend this area be removed and commercial be indicated all along hwy. 12,
]Toward Dahlgren — Dayton Hudson — Feels the City has a great opportunityto
plan for the future and determine how it can design its commercial area. The
City must plan to a minimum of 1990 but encourage them to plan beyond this.
Future planning must be done In order to keep commercial areas out of residential
and. visaversa. Planning property can keep taxes low and still achieve growth.
Sewer and water can be brought in slowly. Should have a total through —of —fare
plan. By a 1-7 per 40 the City is going to get scattered residential development
These people will still need and require the same services as higher density. The
City will not achieve -the economics they are driving for. He recommends planning
development inside the MUSA line. It does not make sense to deny sewer capacity
until 1990 when this is available now. Plan for the development within the MUSA
befoe 1990 and plan the need for PUD.
Steve Raleigh — The real purpose of the plan is not what will happen where,
not what will happen when; but how much development would we like and how much
development will we allow. Each person who spoke asked to develop their property.
The potential is much greater than the City Council, or the City would like to see.
Would not like to see a population of 20,000 in 1990. Lake Elmo is primarly a
community of homes. Submit these peoples interest should be the primary concern.
Feels that if the City allowed all the houses be built' in this community that
developers would like to build this place would look like downtown St. Paul.
DickDCoster — Stated constitutents elected you on basis of non —development
and what we have here indicates this, Would ,you allow us to leave? Would this
City be agreeable to a petition annexing property to Woodbury or Oakdale?
Mrs. Meehan — We have always had the previous Plan. Why are ,you turning -this
over and changing all that has been proposed for 20 ,years. The zoning map has
been good for. 20 years, why is this still not so? M r Armstro indicated that
population estimates for Lake Elmo fall fax short of what actually is. Previous
plans has been based on these projections. Mrs. Meehan "stated what the City is
trying to do now they should have done 25 years ago. What can you do with ITOA,
it will not raise anything?
Bill Stouvenal — Feels the problem with the plan is mostly in design. Suggests
those who are preparing it Look at it objectively with no special interests and.
determine what is -the logical way for Lake Elmo -to grow.
FA Stevens — Commenting on Me. Stouvenals comments — he is suggesting the PZC
ad the City Council should do -this plan as the they do not live here. He is
looking at it f mm-abusiness and a businessmans point of views 'From:a""taxpayers
point of view he objects and is in full agreement with the proposed plan.
City Council, Comprehensive Plan Hearing' July 189 1979 -4-
Sally Savill - Requests the Council take into consideration all the residents.
Give the senior citizens a return on their land. Consider those people who
have paid taxes in the community for 50-60 years, and pay attention -to their needs,
Hard Eder. -• Recommends the City meet with residents north of 212 and see what
their i.deasare. Do the same in the southwest portion of the City. Some where
we have to build a different type of structure, We need some other points of
view, All residents need to broaden their perspective, Feels City should go
back to the drawing and revise plan especially the zones' then come back and
talk to the residents. The City must work together will all the resident.
Written comments will be received by the City until August 1.
Mottaz moved, Morgan seconded to continue the hearing until .August 2, 19799at
the Village Hall, Lake Elmo, Motion carried 5-0, Motion at 10:15 P.M.