Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
2026 EDA Work Plan Review and Approval
180 City-Owned Acres Development Strategy (ULI Tap Report)
Old City Hall and Adjacent Property Planning
City-Wide Business Engagement and Listing Initiatives
Landfill Asset Evaluation for Solar Facility
Votes (2)
Recommendation to Approve 2026 EDA Work Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [0:13:35] · Seconded by Board Member [0:13:41]
The Community Development Director presented the 2026 Work Plan, outlining strategic objectives for the coming year. Key discussions included plans for the 180 city-owned acres, the acquisition of the former fire station/parks building, creating a plan for Old City Hall, evaluating the landfill for a solar facility, and streamlining communication efforts. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the initiative to create a comprehensive list of Lake Elmo businesses, exploring its purpose (marketing and engagement) and the practical difficulties given the absence of a business licensing process. The possibility of integrating Old City Hall planning with adjacent 'Fury' and school properties was also raised.
180 Acres Tap Presentation and Discussion of Next Steps
The Community Development Director presented findings from the ULI Tap process for the 180 city-owned acres, outlining development opportunities, market feasibility, and stakeholder feedback. Proposed uses included light industrial, commercial, and mixed-density residential, with a comparison of tax revenues between industrial-only and mixed-use scenarios. The discussion delved into infrastructure challenges (e.g., sewer under rail tracks), the city's role in development (acting as developer vs. engaging brokers), the feasibility of large-scale projects like moving public works, and the balance between fiscal benefits, service costs, and community desires for diverse development. A phased approach for marketing and development was suggested, along with a detailed timeline for public engagement and technical research.
Notable Quotes (10)
We have the 2026 work plan. We presented this I believe at the last meeting. Ask for input. So, as you can see for our mission statement, our goals have remained the same. The work plan items have changed slightly.
We don't have a business license process. So where I used to work we monitored that so we had everybody right and everybody had to come get a license. We don't do that.
And if there's anything us as an EDA can do to make sure they feel connected into the city, their voice is being heard. Whether or not they want, if they just said, 'Hey, I want to be left alone.' That that's fine. But just having a connection into city council, into EDA matters.
We wanted to know what land uses would generate the most taxes. Uh what land uses are the most um feasible in the current condition, current market. Are there any development trends that you're seeing for uh comparable properties?
Basically, the developers who come in should know exactly what the city is looking for. Pres preserve future flexibility at such a large site.
For me, what's important here, what I like about this is that we can use this moving forward and we will use this moving forward like in terms of our pricing. So, it's apples to apples when we talk about um what we think if anything we want to change as a city.
What you can see is the taxable market value is pretty much the same and the city taxes are the same. The annual tax value is a lot higher for industrial and that has to do with the fiscal disparity tax.
From my own point of view, I like the idea of the lower ones where the city has more control for a couple of reasons. One is that I I believe that it would make sense for Lake Elmo to develop the the capacity within the city staff to deal with these kind of things which which will serve us in the future as well as for this project.
There were a couple of things that be clubbed me over the head. I I sat through the presentation to council recently and a few things of interest came out and first the first bucket that hit me over the head were all the things that the city has to do and step up and get done and pay for.
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.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Previous meeting minutes, approved without significant discussion
The Lake Economic Development Authority's annual work plan, presented and approved
Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel report and process for the 180 city-owned acres
Handbook for the Economic Development Authority, planned for update
City's Comprehensive Plan, potentially requiring amendments for new development on the 180 acres
Environmental document (likely 'Agreed Upon Procedures Report' or similar environmental assessment), to be updated for a site
Certificates processed by the city for changes of use in businesses