Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Story
Lake Elmo approves daycare center, extends animal business deadline
Extension Request for Animal Inn Conditional Use Permit and Variance
City Council Review of Planning Commission Items and Upcoming Meetings
Votes (2)
Public Hearing: Milestones at Eagle Point Conditional Use Permit for Daycare Center
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner [00:07:54] · Seconded by Commissioner [00:08:15]
City Staff presented details for Me Lal Lakes LLC's request to convert the former Rasmussen College into a daycare center. Key points included no change to the building footprint but proposed parking area modifications for playgrounds, meeting all development standards, and addressing potential queuing issues with ample parking. Public hearing notices were sent, but no public comments were received. Commissioners inquired about traffic flow and tree preservation requirements.
Unfinished Business: Animal Inn Conditional Use Permit and Variance Extension Request
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner [00:12:47] · Seconded by Commissioner [00:13:00]
Staff presented Animal Inn's request for a 24-month extension to their CUP and Variance deadline, which was originally set for April 16, 2025. The extension is needed to allow the business to manage project expenses and complete pre-construction requirements like developing a water connection plan and conducting a septic test. A minor discrepancy in resolution numbers was clarified, confirming the 2024 resolutions. Commissioners discussed the scope of work covered by the extension period.
Notable Quotes (5)
the request tonight is to establish a daycare center through the conditional use process daycare centers are permitted conditionally in the business park zoning district and just a note for everyone that cups are required for certain land uses uh to ensure that activities are compatible with the surrounding areas
the applicant has expressed that no changes will be made to the building footprint the alterations will most be limited to the interior of the space with some very minor changes to detailing on the exterior
the applicant is proposing over 30 additional spaces uh we think that that should mitigate any queuing just because the the drop off and pick up is a flexible time so not everyone will be there at the same time
the city ordinance requires substantial construction within 12 months of the date of the approval of the cup and the variance... the applicants are making progress towards these conditions of approval but they will not reach that substantial construction deadline
the conditions that they need to meet before they can even get a building permit are to connect the buildings to water so they need to develop plans for that that needs to get approved by city engineer and then they need to do a septic test to show that their septic has capacity for the additional demand
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Permit type requested for Milestones at Eagle Point daycare center; also subject of an extension request for Animal Inn.
Current zoning classification of the Milestones at Eagle Point property.
Comprehensive plan referenced for Conditional Use Permit review criteria.
Memo requested revisions to this plan for Milestones at Eagle Point.
One of two resolutions for the Animal Inn Variance and Conditional Use Permit Amendment, approved April 16, 2024. (Corrected from stated 201444).
One of two resolutions for the Animal Inn Variance and Conditional Use Permit Amendment, approved April 16, 2024. (Corrected from stated 2012 24043).
Approved for Animal Inn alongside the CUP amendment, for which an extension request was made.
Seven Shoreland and slope-related variances that were denied by City Council in February.
Zoning text amendment approved by City Council in February, not including bed and breakfast language.
Zoning text amendment approved by City Council in February.