Council signals support for rural road option at High Point Crossing, asks staff to draft standards

Lake Elmo — Council gave direction on Feb. 17 for the High Point Crossing concept plan, asking staff to develop standards that would allow a rural road section and to provide guidance on stormwater-pond ownership, private septic systems and potential use of PVC for water mains.

Planner Mr. First reviewed the resubmitted concept for the roughly 80‑acre site — previously considered as an OPPUD — noting the revised plan shows 18 lots using individual septic systems and city water, and that engineering review identified three primary concerns: road section (staff recommends an urban section), stormwater pond design, and septic drainfield locations.

Senior Engineer Jack Griffin emphasized maintenance and access challenges if stormwater ponds sit on private lots rather than public outlots. “If they don't do the maintenance, we can go in and do the maintenance for them,” Griffin said, noting ponds on private property require easement‑maintenance agreements and create enforcement complexity compared with city‑owned outlots.

Developer Paul Robinson argued the rural road section and placing wetlands/ponds on lots can reduce development cost and preserve larger lot character. He told the council switching to PVC for water mains could save “around 20 to 30%,” which he estimated as nearly $200,000 in savings on the project.

Council discussion centered on balancing lower initial construction costs and rural character against longer‑term maintenance burdens for the city. Several councilmembers and staff said they were comfortable directing staff to draft rural‑road design standards and to return with recommendations on sidewalks, tree standards, stormwater conveyance and whether PVC should become a consistent city standard rather than a one‑off allowance for this project. Council did not take a formal vote but provided clear policy direction to staff.