Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Friday, October 24, 2025
Story
Lake Elmo approves creamery subdivision and tree fund plan
Zoning Text Amendment to Create a Tree Fund
Public GIS Tool Launch
Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Update
City Council Business Updates
Votes (3)
Public Hearing & Recommendation: Registered Land Survey 132
Moved by Unknown Commissioner [00:15] · Seconded by Unknown Commissioner [00:15]
The planning commission considered a recommendation for Registered Land Survey 132, pertaining to a minor subdivision for a property at 3481 Livern Avenue in the old village. The purpose is to reconfigure boundaries to ensure a former creamery building is on its own parcel. Staff noted the process is required for torrens property per state statute and presented conditions including various permits, dedication of right-of-way, and addressing city engineer comments. The applicant, John Pichcha, stated his goal is to clean up the building and find a good tenant. No public comments were received. Commissioners expressed support for the project given the conditions in place.
Public Hearing & Recommendation: Zoning Text Amendment to Create a Tree Fund
Moved by Unknown Commissioner [00:27] · Seconded by Unknown Commissioner [00:27]
The Commission held a public hearing for a zoning text amendment to establish a dedicated Tree Fund, designed to replace trees throughout the city. Funding sources would include fee-in-lieu payments, such as a $50,000 payment from Stillwater Schools for tree mitigation, and potential individual/business donations. Staff proposed the fund could support programs like a boulevard tree replacement program. Commissioners inquired about the disposition of past funds (e.g., from 3M for clearcutting) and eligibility for public right-of-way tree replacements. The staff clarified that the current program focuses on right-of-way trees on a first-come, first-serve basis, with location-specific planting standards. There were no public comments.
Communication Update: Public GIS Tool Launch, ULI TAP, and City Council Business
City staff provided an update on several key initiatives. First, the new public GIS tool, a web-based application, was launched, integrating county data with specific city layers like shoreland buffers and MUSA phasing, which is expected to enhance efficiency for staff and developers. Second, an update on the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) outlined the upcoming three-day stakeholder interview process. Third, City Council updates included the final plat approval for the Inwood Townhomes and the awarding of the fire station redevelopment RFP to Tap and Ladder and a Mexican restaurant, with environmental testing completed and closing expected early next year. No formal action was taken as this was an informational item.
Notable Quotes (6)
Uh, 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.
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,
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. Like you said, a lot of other cities have a program like this. So I think we should have one as well too.
Yeah, this is really great. And I'm sure it's it's can cut staff usage time down by half saying like here. Just go here first. This will answer most of your questions and then call me back.
I really like how it's phased like the 2035 to 2040 for that section south of Northstar. I think that's a good idea and that should be kept there.
So, one of the things just bring up, it's interesting when you see all these layers, it starts to tell a story of, you know, this one site around Kramer Lake is really difficult to develop. Right. So, you have shoreline buffers. It's not in the current phase. Fifth Street would come through here. That's a connection that's required.
Ordinances & Resolutions (28)
Specific land survey application under review for property boundary reconfiguration
City's administrative review process for Registered Land Surveys per state statute
Legal basis requiring RLS review through minor subdivision process
City attorney's comments to be addressed prior to recording the RLS
City engineer's comments to be addressed prior to release of any building permit
Document to be recorded along with the Registered Land Survey
City's guiding document for land use, referenced for RLS 132 consistency
Component of the Comprehensive Plan, referenced for RLS 132 consistency
Specific city regulations RLS 132 must meet
Required for any structural changes or new construction on the RLS 132 site
Required for both properties created by RLS 132 prior to building permits
Proposed amendment to the zoning code to add a tree fund
City's regulatory document for land use and development standards
Existing section of the zoning code where the tree fund amendment would be added
Forum where the tree fund concept was first presented
Newly launched online geographic information system for public access to city data
Feature of the GIS tool displaying property plats
Separate GIS mapping application for parks and trails information
Economic Development Authority plan that included the GIS tool as an objective
Information packet prepared for the ULI TAP panelists
Approved for the Inwood Townhomes first edition
Awaiting signing for the Inwood Townhomes project
Upcoming meeting for the Inwood Townhomes project
Request for Proposals process for the fire station redevelopment
Testing conducted on the fire station site for potential contaminants
Contingency plan needed if significant contamination is found during environmental testing
Required step for the fire station property transaction
Required step for the fire station property transaction