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Lake Elmo council: votes at a glance — crosswalk policy, Royal Golf permits, cannabis rules and other actions
Summary
The Lake Elmo City Council on Dec. 9 adopted a pedestrian crosswalk policy, approved permits and a variance for Royal Golf, adopted new cannabis registration and land‑use rules (including a 20‑acre minimum for outdoor commercial cultivation), increased volunteer firefighter pension benefits and authorized Shulkin Park trail work.
The Lake Elmo City Council on Dec. 9, 2024 approved a set of policy and permit items, and took up several land‑use and procedural votes. Major actions approved included adoption of a pedestrian crosswalk policy and marking recommendations, conditional‑use permit approvals and a variance for the Royal Golf Club, adoption of cannabis registration and land‑use ordinances (the latter amended to require a 20‑acre minimum for permitted outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation), an increase to the volunteer firefighter pension benefit, and authorization to construct a nature trail and minimal amenities at Shulkin Park. The council also appointed three members to the Planning Commission and tabled two items for additional work: a public‑works operational‑audit agreement and an update to the landscape/tree‑preservation ordinance.
The council voted: the amended meeting agenda and minutes were approved; the consent agenda (including renewal of the East Metro Water Resource Education Program, MRAP, for 2025–2027) was approved. The pedestrian crosswalk policy and marking recommendations, including marking intersections at 39th Street North & Laverne Avenue North and 39th Street North & Wildflower Drive, were adopted following staff presentation and council discussion.
On land‑use matters the council approved three linked actions for Royal Golf LLC: a variance to increase parcel impervious surface (Resolution 2024‑126) and two conditional‑use permits (Resolutions 2024‑127 and 2024‑128) allowing two pickleball courts and a clubhouse expansion, subject to standard permitting and design conditions listed in staff reports. The planning commission had recommended approval.
On cannabis regulation the council adopted Ordinance 2024‑20 (registration requirements for cannabis retail businesses) and Ordinance 2024‑21 (land‑use and performance standards). During debate council amended the land‑use ordinance to require a 20‑acre minimum for commercial outdoor cultivation and then adopted the ordinance as amended; the council also adopted Resolution 2024‑130 to authorize summary publication of the new ordinances.
The council approved a motion to increase firefighter pension benefits under the statewide volunteer fire plan to $8,000 per year (Resolution 2024‑131) based on PERA projections and the city’s funding ratio. The council authorized construction of approximately 1.5 miles of nature trail and purchase of benches, kiosks and picnic tables at Shulkin Park up to a maximum of $25,000. Three planning‑commission appointments were confirmed. Two items were tabled for further refinement: an agreement with Raftelis for a public‑works operational audit and proposed changes to the landscape and tree‑preservation code.
Votes were taken by voice; the record shows motions approved by voice vote (ayes) with no recorded no votes in the transcript. Conditions and technical details for permits (e.g., landscaping, parking contingencies, CUP expirations, and specific mitigation measures) were described in the staff reports and appear as conditions in the adopted motions.
