The applicant is proposing a 58 unit single family detached development. The density of this is 0.53 units per acre. And the land use applications before you tonight are prelim plat and open space PUD.

They are requesting a deviation for a building standard which is garage facade. City code requires a maximum of 40% garage facade. They're requesting up to 60%. Next is landscape standards. This requirement is proposed to be met. Impervious surface. They are requesting a deviation to 40% where typically 30% is required. This is on a per lot basis. And then trail and sidewalks. They are proposing a puminous sidewalk instead of the traditional concrete sidewalk that runs along the road.

I just want to know, have you lived in a house with an if have you been on a property with an asphalt path in front of it that cuts through your yard and what it looks like in five years?

I would love to not have that trail there. Um, I'd love to see that trail be part of our trail network that is along the road and then goes up and connects. We put that trail there because it it is shown a trail connection to Tamarack Farm Estates. If they don't want a connection, I don't need a connection. I'd love to move that trail. So, for what it's worth, if that is an issue for people, we'd love to see it not be there.

Certainly uh the main I I solicited comments from our neighbors and the main concern from our neighborhood is certainly safety on 50th. That crossing at the top of the hill um going from our neighborhood across to the Fields neighborhood on the south side of 50th is is pretty unsafe. I think a lot of people have concerns with cars coming up and kids or people with dogs crossing and then coming down the hill.

One of my main concerns is on the east side there's a tamarack swamp and as you know we don't have a lot of tamaracks around here and tamaracks are unique trees because they very susceptible to change or disturbance and so my main concern is that that tamarack swamp gets protected and uh so it can continue uh for years to come.

My recommendation then would be that we change the the three conditions. My my request would be is that we require that the asphalt the asphalt sidewalk be a concrete sidewalk and that the variances for impervious on the plots be identified.

This is a voluntary challenge um assistance and recognition program put on by the MPCA for cities reporting on sustainability and quality life uh goals. So high level it's a continuous improvement program based on uh dozens of best practices.

So the city received the award last week because we completed two action items in 2025. Uh the first was the tree steward community step. Um this is collaborating with the Washington County Conservation District on a tree stewards program to coordinate volunteers to attend tree stewards opportunities like tree pruning um and educational outreach. The next is creating our green team.

And finally, I just want to note that the city is updating the comprehensive plan within the next couple of years. With that, local governments are required to plan for climate change as part of their comp plan. the city of Lake Elmo will begin its work um with to meet the requirements of the Met Council in 26 and 27.