Council issues negative declaration on Limerick Village EAW; findings adopted

The Lake Elmo City Council on Oct. 21 found no need to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Limerick Village development, adopting a negative declaration and accepting the staff findings of fact.

Limerick Village is a residential development proposal that would include a mix of single‑family homes, attached townhomes, apartment units and senior housing with a central park and stormwater pond. Because the proposal exceeds EAW thresholds for certain housing counts, the city required an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), which was published and circulated to 17 reviewing agencies. The 30‑day public comment period closed Sept. 26.

The city received comments from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Metropolitan Council and one public comment. The MPCA raised technical items including noise and wastewater accuracy; the Metropolitan Council found the EAW sufficient from a regional standpoint and offered advisory comments. Staff incorporated agency advisory comments into the findings of fact and recommended a negative declaration — a decision that means no EIS is required.

After brief council discussion, a motion to adopt a resolution making a negative declaration for the need for an EIS passed by voice vote. The council then approved the related findings-of-fact and record-of-decision document prepared by staff.

Votes at a glance: council adopted Resolution 2025‑073 finding an EIS is not required for Limerick Village and approved staff findings of fact to support the negative declaration (voice votes; passed).