Planning commission recommends 24-month extension for Bridal Inn conditional-use permit and variance

At a regular meeting the Lake Elmo Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a 24-month extension to the Bridal Inn’s conditional-use permit and associated variance deadlines, moving the substantial-construction deadline from April 16, 2025, to April 16, 2027.

Planning staff said the Bridal Inn approvals (recorded in earlier resolutions) require substantial construction within 12 months of the original approval date and that the applicants are making progress but cannot meet the April 16, 2025 deadline. The extension request would give the small business additional time to prepare project financing and to develop a water-connection plan with contractors.

Staff outlined the steps that must occur before construction can begin: develop and obtain approval for water-connection plans from the city engineer and complete a septic test to demonstrate sufficient septic capacity for the expanded use. Once those conditions are satisfied, the applicant can apply for a building permit and begin work.

A commissioner asked whether the cited resolution numbers contained a typographical error; planning staff acknowledged a typo in the record for the resolution numbering but said the underlying approval dates and requirements stand as described. Commissioner A moved to recommend approval of the 24-month extension to April 16, 2027; Commissioner B seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Planning staff did not present a formal updated timeline beyond the requested extension.