Enter/update government-owned building information and monthly usage data into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and utilize building/energy audits to identify potential improvements.
- Action 1:City Detail
Background Information
City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics
City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.
Assessment File
Metrics Files
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 32Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
- Action 2:All of the indoor lighting is also on motion sensors where they automatically turn off once no movement or occupancy is detected.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Efficient Existing Private Buildings {BP no.2}
Conserve/protect drinking/groundwater resources by creating a water-wise landscaping ordinance/guidance, WaterSense purchasing program, or guidance on rainwater harvesting and home water softener use.
- Action 5:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Building Redevelopment {BP no.5}
Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations and encourage adaptive reuse.
- Action 1:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Adopt development/design standards and programs that facilitate infill, redevelopment, and adaptable buildings.
- Action 5:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Land Use
Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans {BP no.6}
Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a future land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
- Action 1:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.
- Action 2:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Include requirements in comprehensive and/or other plans for intergovernmental coordination addressing regional land use and watershed / wellhead impacts, infrastructure, transportation, economic development and city/regional services.
- Action 3:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Resilient City Growth {BP no.7}
Eliminate barriers and actively encourage higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:
- Action 1:In 2019 the city approved a 300-unit apartment building on 17.33 acres called the Springs at Lake Elmo (17 units/acre). This development sits adjacent to commercial and mixed-use commercial development. The site is also along Hudson Blvd and in close proximity to I-94 which is a main thoroughfare.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Mixed Uses {BP no.8}
Organize or participate in a community planning/placemaking/design process for the city/a mixed-use district, including specific community engagement practices that engage cultural and income diverse community members.
- Action 1:In general, the standards allow a much higher degree of flexibility for building and activity in the Village than was previously permitted.
Number of new uses allowed in Village District as a result of new zoning.
Number of mixed use housing units erected.
Density increase.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Modify a planned unit development (PUD) ordinance to emphasize or require mixed-use development or affordable housing, to limit residential PUDs to areas adjacent to commercial development, and/or to add sustainability features.
- Action 3:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Have a downtown zoning district that emphasizes small and destination business, entrepreneurial spaces, and allows or requires residential and residential-compatible commercial development.
- Action 5:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}
Preserve environmentally sensitive, community-valued land by placing a conservation easement on city lands, and by encouraging/funding private landowners to place land in conservation easements.
- Action 5:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Transportation
Efficient City Fleets {BP no.13}
Right-size/down-size the city fleet with the most fuel-efficient vehicles that are of an optimal size and capacity for their intended functions.
- Action 2:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
- Action 1:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Purchase energy used by city government - via the municipal utility, green tags, community solar garden, 3rd party - with a higher renewable percentage than required by Minnesota law.
- Action 2:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
- Action 2:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Parks and Trails {BP no.18}
Achieve minimum levels of city green space and maximize the percent within a ten-minute walk of community members.
- Action 3:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
- Action 4:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}
Inclusive and Coordinated Decision-Making: Use a city commission or committee to lead, coordinate, report to and engage community members on the identification and equitable implementation of sustainability best practices.
- Action 1:The Parks commission has been continuing efforts to engage residents to understand what they would like to see in our parks.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Communicating Progress on Goals: Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans (social, environmental, economic) and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting these goals.
- Action 2:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Engaging the Next Generation: Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government (including commissions).
- Action 6:The city offers internship opportunities for students to engage with local government. The planning intern works on entering Greenstep actions and assessing action steps that are attainable with a few minor tweaks/changes to our current processes.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Green Business Development {BP no.25}
Promote sustainable tourism in your city, and green tourism resources to tourism and hospitality businesses in/around the city.
- Action 3:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Strengthen value-added businesses utilizing local "waste" material.
- Action 4:The city also purchases certified playground woodchips for inside our public playgrounds.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
- Action 7:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
Support a community solar garden or help community members participate in a community solar project by:
- Action 4:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Become a solar-ready community, including adopting ordinance/zoning language and an expedited permit process for residents and businesses to install solar energy systems.
- Action 7:The smaller scale solar systems are completed through a building permit which is an expedited process of 1-2 weeks. Solar Farms are reviewed by City Council typically within 60 days of receiving a complete application.
Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Local Food {BP no.27}
Protect working landscapes - agriculture and forestry - by adopting an ordinance or incentivizing one or more of the following:
- Action 1:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
- Action 3:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
Prepare to maintain public health and safety during extreme weather and climate-change-related events, while also taking a preventive approach to reduce risk for community members.
- Action 1:Sophia Jensen (City Staff) | sjensen@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3900