Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) 2026 Work Plan Approval

Lake Elmo 180-Acre City-Owned Property Development Strategy

Future Planning for Old City Hall

Landfill Redevelopment as City Asset

Creation of Comprehensive Lake Elmo Business List

Old Fire Station and Parks Building Purchase Update

Votes (1)

Approval of 2026 Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) Work Plan

Passed Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Unknown [00:14:55] · Seconded by Unknown [00:14:56]

The Community Development Director presented the 2026 Work Plan, outlining strategic goals and projects for the upcoming year. Key initiatives included the development strategy for the 180-acre city-owned property following a ULI Tap process, plans for Old City Hall, evaluation of the landfill for a solar facility, a disposition plan for other city-owned properties, and the creation of a comprehensive list of local businesses. Extensive discussion focused on the 180-acre site, covering potential land uses (industrial, commercial, housing), market feasibility, and critical infrastructure needs (sewer, rail access). Concerns were raised regarding the city's capacity for complex development, financial implications of different land uses, and the potential for increased service costs with residential growth. The importance of phased development and leveraging initial land sales for infrastructure was highlighted, alongside a desire for mixed-use development at the 180-acre gateway to create a distinct Lake Elmo identity.

Notable Quotes (4)

One of the things we talked about is smaller lot single family that could be owner occupied and it could be sold at a lower price point than what we typically see here. And we have a lot of flexibility since we own the site. So, it may be the one opportunity where we can kind of guide what we'd want to see and consider housing at different price points and design.

Community Development Director Stappa [00:27:07]
Approval of 2026 Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) Work Plan

But I I just it seems like it's and maybe you'll learn differently in the next few months when you research, but that looks like it's something that this city couldn't handle, could not handle. I don't think you could I I you don't think it's staffed it to handle and and and then and not only that, but get the commitment for all the uh investment that needs to be done up front.

Don [00:41:40]
Approval of 2026 Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) Work Plan

And I don't want it to be lost on the retail commercial aspect of this. Um I'll stick up that frankly like having this all industrial doesn't excite me. I'd be curious what the feedback is. like you have some nice retail and being built up there on the Oakdale side. So to have an industrial park as soon as you enter Lake Elmo, I don't know, say what you want about the the residential, but I think some some level of shopping, restaurants, commercial is important there and does present a gateway.

EDA Member 1 [00:46:16]
Approval of 2026 Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) Work Plan

Public finance um person was like, 'That's doable, right? That's something the city could do.' Um the other thing too is regardless of the staff capacity, how many people we have, we could still have areas guided for residential that are interesting where we are not really involved in laying it out. We would not our plan is not to lay out a plan unit development.

Community Development Director Stappa [00:42:37]
Approval of 2026 Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority (EDA) Work Plan

Ordinances & Resolutions (19)

Minutes from the last meetingOther

Minutes from the previous meeting, approved at the current meeting.

2026 Work PlanPlan

The strategic work plan for the Lake Elmo Economic Development Authority for the upcoming year, presented and approved.

ULI Tap processOther

Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel process, used to generate recommendations for the 180-acre site.

Purchase agreementOther

Ongoing agreement for the former fire station and parks building.

Brownfield grantsOther

Environmental cleanup grants being explored for potential contamination.

Disposition planPlan

Plan to identify, evaluate, and dispose of city-owned properties.

Broker price opinion (BPO)Other

Valuation report being sought for Old City Hall.

Power purchase agreementOther

Agreement with Excel for potential solar facility at the landfill.

Community development projects pageOther

City website page being updated for outreach and project information.

Comprehensive list of businessesOther

An initiative to create a list of local businesses for marketing and community connection.

EDA handbookOther

Document needing updates for housekeeping purposes.

Report (ULI)Other

A report containing recommendations from the ULI Tap process for the 180-acre site.

Land use zoningOther

Background information reviewed for the 180-acre site.

Comp Plan (Comprehensive Plan)Plan

The city's comprehensive plan, which may require amendments for the 180-acre site development.

Zoning Certificates of Zoning CompliancePermit

Certificates processed for changes of use in businesses.

AUR (Environmental Assessment Report)Other

An existing environmental report for the 180-acre site that Bolton and Mink would update.

Policy frameworkOther

Updating comp plan and building regulations for the 180-acre site.

GIS fileOther

Digital geographic information system file used for parcel data.

DBAOther

Refers to a utility billing system, mentioned as an incomplete source for a business list.

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