Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Primrose Daycare Conditional Use Permit
Bersian's Minor Subdivision and Zoning Map Amendment
2026 Street and Utility Improvements Preliminary Design Authorization
University of Minnesota Low-Input Grass Study
Parks Commission Appointment
PFAS Destruction Technology Research Update
Votes (5)
Primrose Daycare Conditional Use Permit (Resolution 2025-044)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:19:57] · Seconded by Council Member [00:20:47]
The council discussed the proposed Primrose Schools daycare, focusing on operational aspects like student capacity (192), staff (28), and hours (6 am-6:30 pm). Specific concerns were raised regarding parking requirements (56 stalls provided vs. 55 required) and potential traffic congestion during peak drop-off/pickup times. The applicant clarified that parents are required to walk children in, mitigating concerns about drop-off lanes. An encroachment agreement for a parking area within an easement was noted, with the applicant planning to request an easement vacation. Council members expressed enthusiasm for new businesses and the need for such facilities in the growing community.
Bersian's Minor Subdivision and Zoning Map Amendment (Ordinance 2025-11, Resolution 2025-045, Resolution 2025-046)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:34:03] · Seconded by Council Member [00:34:25]
The council considered a three-part request for the Bersian's property. The zoning map amendment corrected an old designation (Public Facilities to Rural Residential) to match the comprehensive plan, as the originally slated public works facility moved. The minor subdivision reconfigured four existing lots for estate planning without proposing new development or infrastructure. Discussion included practical questions about water/sewer connections (none needed for existing home) and how compliance with accessory building limits would be tracked if common ownership or agricultural use ceased (via inspection or property sale).
Authorization Preliminary Design, Geotech Services, and Feasibility Report for 2026 Street and Utility Improvements (Resolution 2025-043)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:44:03] · Seconded by Council Member [00:44:20]
The council approved initiating the preliminary design phase for the 2026 street and utility improvements in the Lake Elmo Heights neighborhood, citing critical street conditions. The project scope includes street and drainage improvements, curb replacement, and inspection of the public water main, with no sanitary sewer extensions planned as it's outside the Musa boundary. Staff outlined an accelerated schedule to leverage a favorable bidding environment. A council member inquired about the lifespan of existing septic systems and the potential need for future sewer extensions, to be investigated as part of the preliminary design.
University of Minnesota Low-Input Grass Study
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:54:19] · Seconded by Council Member [00:54:39]
The council considered a proposal from the University of Minnesota to establish a test plot for low-input, water-conserving grass seed, with a request for an irrigation waiver during the 2025 establishment period. The project aims to demonstrate the viability of these mixtures in the Twin Cities Metro. Discussion covered watering logistics, including maximum daily usage (600 gallons) and the potential for reduction based on real-time moisture monitoring. Council members expressed strong support for the initiative, recognizing its benefits for water conservation, public education, and providing alternatives to traditional turf for residents.
Parks Commission Appointment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [00:57:32] · Seconded by Council Member [00:57:42]
The council moved to appoint Giovanni Bler to the Parks Commission. The appointment was made for a term ending December 31, 2026.
Notable Quotes (10)
What is the encroachment agreement for the parking lot? What's the reason for that? I didn't quite understand.
Yeah, we we have 500 locations throughout the nation. We have we're in 34 states. We have just 20 in the Twin Cities. And um parking was an issue in the past when you're looking at less than 40 stalls, but 56 is more than enough from our standpoint.
First, I I love this. I love that Met Council and staff had this conversation to lead to this to begin with. This is the type of thing that um benefits the city, it benefits future residents, and it benefits others throughout the metro.
But because the property owner is planning to use it in conjunction with a property north of 45th Street, so over 40 acres and still for egg purposes, the city's okay with them having this number of buildings with the condition that once it's no longer under common ownership or they stop using it for egg, they need to come into compliance with the size and number of buildings for a 10acre parcel.
This is a um a representation of street condition uh from the last street rating which was done in 2023. Um that red color um red is dead. You know, we can't uh we have to reconstruct or or um reclaim these streets. um there's there's really no other way to extend the service life and the others uh within are are that that kind of yellow color and I would I would say that upon review of site conditions they are definitely red at this point.
This is a little earlier than than uh past projects have been, but um in order to capture, you know, in order to to, you know, maximize our chances of having favorable bids and having a positive bidding environment, it's best to to be, you know, an early bird.
The area is not currently served by sanitary sewer, but are the on-site treatment systems a situation where their life is a lot of near the end and we might be facing let's say 5 years from now we need to put sewer in. So, we're going to dig up a brand new street.
Again, the project we're hoping to do this at at uh three other sites besides our turf rea research center. Um we know the benefits um I guess I know the benefits of of these mixtures um that they can be great for um saving water throughout the Twin Cities and establishing the site is kind of a big deal.
So the biggest thing is with any turf grass is going to be the establishment. That is the main um thing with getting this establishment and the use of water. If you don't have uh proper watering times or enough water, it'll fail.
First, I I love this. I love that Met Council and staff had this conversation to lead to this to begin with. This is the type of thing that um benefits the city, it benefits future residents, and it benefits others throughout the metro.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Approval of cost share agreement for CASAW 13 Inwood Avenue pavement rehabilitation improvements.
Application to establish a daycare center.
Approving the conditional use permit for Primrose Schools Franchise Corporation.
Amending the city zoning map for PID 10.029.21.13.0000002 from public facilities to rural residential (Bersian's property).
Authorizing publication summary of Ordinance 2025-11.
Approving the Bersian Shores third edition minor subdivision.
Ordering preparation of preliminary design, geotechnical services, and feasibility report for the 2026 street and utility improvements.
City's comprehensive plan, with which the Primrose Daycare use and Bersian's zoning amendment were found consistent.
Reference to the process for assessing public improvements and their costs, used for the 2026 street and utility project.
Capital Improvement Program, used to estimate costs for the 2026 street and utility project.
Legal basis for entering a closed session for city administrator performance review.