Lake Elmo Council Approves Inwood Townhomes Final Plat, Easement Vacation

The Lake Elmo City Council voted to approve the final plat, final planned-unit development (PUD) and an easement vacation for the Inwood Townhomes first addition, authorizing the development of 54 attached units.

Miss Jensen, who presented the application, told the council the property is zoned for high-density residential and would yield a density of about 11.7 units per acre, which she said falls within the allowable High Density Residential range. She said staff recommended seven findings of consistency with the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan, subdivision regulations and PUD standards, and recommended 11 conditions of approval tied mainly to agency review memos, required agreements, fees and permitting.

The application includes three formal requests: the final plat, final PUD and vacation of an existing drainage and utility easement. Jensen said the applicant—identified in the staff report as MNI Homes of Minneapolis—proposes to rededicate necessary easements within the final plat if the vacation is approved. Staff noted agency input: a watershed permit has been obtained and the fire and engineering departments submitted standard review comments. Jensen also said staff had received a handful of resident inquiries about a potential crosswalk across 5th Street that would allow future residents to access Ivywood Park; she said design for any crossing would be reviewed later under the city’s crosswalk policy.

Council members asked whether pedestrian counts and timing would allow a crosswalk to be installed prior to occupancy. Jensen said Public Works believes current conditions meet crossing criteria and that design will return to council later. One councilor reiterated earlier concerns about density but said the final submission is consistent with the preliminary plat and would support approval.

After public hearing procedures, the council adopted Resolution 2025-066 approving the easement vacation and then adopted Resolution 2025-067 approving the final plat and final PUD, both by voice vote.

The approvals are subject to the standard staff conditions cited in the staff report, including satisfying agency review memos, entering necessary agreements, paying fees and obtaining permits. Next steps identified by staff include recording the easement-vacation notice with the county and completing the conditions of approval before final plat recording.