2006 07-26 CC PACKET - Laserfiche WebLink

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'M 3 AN 1 4 2006 citizens are opposed to further extensions of the Gem Lake sewer system.az Gem Lake provides city water to Tousley Ford and municipal sewer and water to the White Bear Montessori School under a joint powers agreement with Vadnais Heights.33 There are no existing sewer or water connections to the Subject Property. The nearest Gem Lake sewer is 200 feet from the Subject Property near the comer of County road E and Highway 61 adjacent to Tousley Ford.sa The Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan calls for future sewer connections to the Vadnais Heights ystem when developing the commercial zone that includes the Subject Property. 3 The Mayor and other representatives of Gem Lake, however, insist that the only sewer connection for the Subject Property must be through the Gem Lake sewer system.36 Gem Lake does not have its own municipal water supply. It contracts for water service with neighboring communities that have municipal water supply.37 35. Vadnais Heights has an extensive sewer system that provides service to the residents and businesses of Vadnais Heights and to some entities outside of Vadnais Heights.38 The Subject Property is bordered on the south by County Road E, beneath which is the Vadnais Heights sewer line. The Vadnais Heights sewer line has capacity for reasonable development of the Subject Property.39 Connection to the Vadnais Heights sewer system would be less costly to a developer of the Subject Property than connection to the Gem Lake system.ao Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan 36. The City of Gem Lake adopted a Comprehensive Plan ("the Comprehensive Plan") for the city in 1997.4' The Comprehensive Plan contains a section entitled "Community Goals."42 The Community Goals are described as "the principal guidelines for the physical development of Gem Lake" and all policies of the Comprehensive Plan should be considered supplemental to the Community Goals.as 37. The relevant Community Goals as expressed in the Comprehensive Plan are: 1) The residents of Gem Lake desire to preserve and maintain a "small town" environment in a natural setting; 2) the residents of Gem Lake wish to contain future commercial development within the community; and 32 Ex. 45 App. A. 33 Stip. 25. 34 Test. of P. Emeott, Tape 5 at 2431, J.Thomas, Tape 1 at 3820. 35 Ex. 45, pg. 44. 38 Testimony of J.Thomas, P. Emeott. 37 Testimony of P. Emeott, tape 5 at 2590. 38 Testimony of G. Urban. 39 Testimony of G. Urban. 40 Testimony of J. Thomas, B. Hansen, Testimony of G. Urban, Tape 7 at 3178. 4' Ex. 45. 42 Ex. 45, p. 16-17. J 43 id. 7