The Lake Elmo City Council on Jan. 7 adopted resolutions approving purchase agreements for two parcels (the Olson and Jurick properties) near downtown and Sunfish Lake Park to assemble land for a future community athletic park.

City staff said the Olson parcel will total roughly 37 acres after a 5.1-acre lot-line adjustment described in the purchase agreement; the Jurick parcel will be acquired in full. The acquisitions implement a multi-year effort that began after a developer payment of $1 million intended to help replace ball fields lost during the Royal Club/Tartan Park development.

Mr. Schroeder, the staff member who presented the proposal, told the council the city had surveyed several candidate parcels in late 2023, sent inquiry letters to nine property owners, and narrowed options to three. After removing one parcel for size and suitability, staff recommended the Olson and Jurick parcels as best fitting criteria such as access to a collector street, an existing water main, proximity to three-phase power, room for parking and septic, and adequate acreage for fields.

Council members discussed financing and next steps. Staff said initial funding for the purchases would come from the $1 million donation plus interest earned on that account and internal city funds loaned to the project; staff indicated they plan to repay the internal loan over a 10-year period and that a small levy increase would be needed. Closing on the Olson property requires a lot-line adjustment and is expected in early February; closing on the Jurick parcel was expected later in February.

Council members noted further regulatory and planning steps after closing: a comprehensive-plan amendment, rezoning the parcels from rural residential to public facilities, a code variance because City code limits public-facility parcels to 20 acres, and possibly a minor subdivision or plat to formalize right-of-way dedications. Staff said the properties are not connected to a sewer system (not in a sewered area) and will require septic systems sized to future amenities; the parcels have a water main on site and three-phase power available.

When asked what would happen to the $1 million if the city later sold the land without building the athletic fields, the city attorney said a legal challenge could be possible and recommended that the council consider a restrictive covenant reserving the property for park/ball field uses if they wished to protect the original donation’s intent. The attorney said placing a restrictive covenant would be a separate step and could require a future vote to remove it.

Council members and the mayor framed the acquisitions as a long-term investment in central community recreation near the Old Village and Sunfish Lake Park, noting community groups (Saint Croix Soccer and Stillwater Softball) have expressed interest in partnering with the city. Several council members acknowledged the price and topography present design and cost challenges and emphasized the need for a deliberate public engagement and design process before building fields. Staff said preliminary concept work would be routed through the Parks Commission and would include public input and outreach to interested leagues before detailed design or construction.

The council adopted resolution 2025-007 (Olson property) and 2025-008 (Jurick property) on voice votes.

Ending: Staff will return with details on lot-line adjustments, closing timelines, and future public engagement; council members said they expect additional planning and funding steps before any construction occurs.