Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations and encourage adaptive reuse.
- 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
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 16
Buildings and Lighting
Building Redevelopment {BP no.5}
Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Adopt development/design standards and programs that facilitate infill, redevelopment, and adaptable buildings.
- Action 5:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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.
Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
- Action 7:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}
Certify as a Tree City USA.
- Action 1:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Stormwater Management {BP no.17}
Complete the GreenStep Municipal Stormwater Management Assessment.
- Action 2:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Surface Water {BP no.19}
Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
- Action 4:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908
Resilient Economic and Community Development
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:Jake Foster (City staff) | jfoster@lakeelmo.org | 651-747-3908