Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Monday, January 26, 2026
Public Hearing Notification Distance Amendments
Minor Zoning Text Amendments (Housekeeping)
Votes (2)
Zoning Text Amendment: Public Hearing Notice Requirements
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Tom Rayamp [6:47] · Seconded by Commission Member Mike [6:47]
The primary discussion focused on the proposed increase of the public hearing notification radius from 350 ft to 500 ft. Public comments, read into the record, expressed support for the change but suggested further increases (e.g., 1000 ft or by number of closest neighbors) for large-lot areas to ensure transparency. Staff clarified the feasibility of GIS-based notification systems and the legal implications of variable notification distances. The city also noted the recent launch of a push notification system for public hearing alerts.
Zoning Text Amendments (Housekeeping Items)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commission Member [6:52] · Seconded by Commission Member [6:52]
This item included five minor updates: standardizing waste collection start time to 6:00 a.m. in all code references, clarifying setback measurements from the right-of-way, explicitly excluding construction and silt fencing from temporary fence regulations, removing residential uses from permitted conditional uses in commercial districts to align with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and correcting a cross-reference in commercial district design standards. No public comments were received.
Notable Quotes (6)
The general consensus was to increase the mailing distances from 350 ft to 500 ft. Um, there was also discussion about adding push notifications for public hearing notices to the city website. As of today, that is live.
I am happy the staff made the recommendation to increase notification to those surrounding the proposed development to 500 ft. However, more can be done. The city could be like our neighbor, West Lakeland, and require notification of land owners within 1,000 ft or 10 land owners away from the proposal.
I mean, it's it's a it's a two-part process that staff is recommending here. One, we're increasing it to 500 ft, which makes it feasible for the GIS map to tell you that. The other is the city's made it very easy to get notifications of public hearings, you know.
Staff create these housekeeping items annually um for minor ordinance updates. Um, usually for consistency and clarity purposes, nothing major policy updates.
I, as a construction person, I'm glad we're not including temporary construction fences and silt fencing as we often times are required uh by the county to put it in the rightway.
the one for residential uses in commercial districts, I was surprised by that. I didn't know that we allow that, but if it's consistent with our comp plan, then I'm all for it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
Overarching document governing regulations, subdivisions, and zoning
Proposed changes to public hearing notification distances
Code section regarding placement of trash containers at the curb
Code section regarding setback measurements from roads
Code section regarding fencing regulations and temporary fences
Code section regarding permitted, conditional, and interim uses in commercial districts
Code section regarding commercial district design standards
Code section referenced for hearing procedures
Incorrect code section previously referenced in commercial district design standards
Correct code section for review procedures referenced in commercial district design standards
Comprehensive plan referenced for consistency with commercial land use definitions
Framework guiding annual staff-created housekeeping items