Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Registered Land Survey 132 (Minor Subdivision)
Zoning Text Amendment to Establish a Tree Fund
Public GIS Tool Launch
Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Update
City Council Updates (Development & Redevelopment Projects)
Votes (2)
Recommendation on Registered Land Survey 132
Moved by Commission Member [06:40] · Seconded by Commission Member [06:40]
The staff presented Registered Land Survey 132 for a property at 3481 Liver Avenue, explaining it needed minor subdivision processing because it's a torrens property. The request is to reconfigure boundaries to ensure the former creamery building (western side) is fully contained within its own parcel. The existing and future zoning is VMX, and there's no proposed change in use. Several standard and site-specific conditions were outlined, including permits, attorney comments, special assessments, engineer comments, right-of-way dedication, easement approval, sewer/water permits, and recording deadlines. The applicant, John Pisha, expressed his goal to clean up the property and find a good tenant. Public hearing was opened and closed with no comments.
Zoning Text Amendment to Establish a Tree Fund
Moved by Commission Member [06:48] · Seconded by Commission Member [06:48]
Staff presented a zoning text amendment to create a dedicated tree fund to support tree replacement throughout the city. The initiative was prompted by a $50,000 payment from Stillwater Schools for tree mitigation and the current lack of a specific fund, separate from the park dedication fund. The primary funding sources will be fees-in-lieu of tree replacement and donations, with eligible expenses including a proposed boulevard tree replacement program. A commissioner inquired about the disposition of over $200,000 paid by 3M for clear-cutting at the Royal Golf Development, suggesting it should go into the new tree fund. Staff clarified the initial program focus would be public right-of-way trees, with future programs requiring council approval, and outlined a first-come, first-served process for homeowners with site standard reviews.
Notable Quotes (7)
However, because this property is torrent, the county has required that it be processed via a registered land survey. And the city reviews registered land surveys through the minor subdivision process uh per state statute. So, that's that's why we're reviewing this one today.
I for the past four years or so have been slow slowly pursuing some plans for the crearyy building. And um now we're finally at this point and my goal is at this point to um just clean it up and do what I can to find a good tenant in there that would be good for that part of town.
I don't see any reason not for this not to go forward. There's plenty of conditions that uh are put on it. I think to um make it satisfactory to every all the parties involved. Um and I'm encouraged by the fact that Susan Dunn is also for it. So it's got to be good.
The issue before the commission is should the city of Lake Elmo consider a zoning tax amendment to create a tree fund and the proposed language it's currently we have a chapter for tree preservation. So this would just add section G to the end uh which is a tree fund and the purpose purpose is to provide a dedicated fund for tree replacement throughout the city...
But what about the money that came from 3M? Because whenever they went in clearcut there, there was supposed to be money that was paid to Lake Elmo. Do you know what fund or where that money went? ... I think it's over $200,000.
So right now the discussion is only for this rightaway tree program. ... So hopefully that will get approved by the council and then the way this is structured if they wanted to create another program that would go back through the council and they would have to approve it.
I mean, I don't see any problem with creating a place for tree money to go to to be used for more trees. So, and and we're supposed to be a tree city. ... I I think it's a great idea. I I really like the fact that if we create the program where a homeowner can request a replacement tree for that or blew over in a storm or whatever and and that others can donate to it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (19)
Application for reconfiguring property boundaries, processed through a minor subdivision.
The city's review process for specific land division requests, required for RLS 132 due to property status.
Legal basis requiring the city to review registered land surveys through the minor subdivision process.
Guiding document with which RLS 132 was found consistent.
Component of the comprehensive plan with which RLS 132 was found consistent.
Local regulations that RLS 132 was found to meet.
Proposed change to the zoning code to add a tree fund.
Specific part of the city code where the tree fund language would be added.
A program for replacing trees in public right-of-ways, to be funded by the new tree fund.
A final plat that was approved by the City Council.
Document pending signature for the Inwood Townhomes project.
Process used to select tenants for the old fire station redevelopment.
Initial environmental review for the old fire station site, looking at potential contaminants.
Follow-up environmental testing with building and soil samples for the old fire station site.
Contingency plan if environmental testing reveals contamination requiring remediation.
Newly launched online mapping application for city data.
A separate mapping application available on the city website.
Document that included the development of the public GIS tool as an objective.
Document compiled for the ULI Technical Assistance Panel with site information.