Parks commission recommends approval of Bridgewater Village town‑home plan, favors cash in lieu of land

The Lake Elmo Parks Commission on June 15 recommended approval of the Bridgewater Village Town Home Concept Plan and endorsed accepting cash in lieu of land for park dedication.

Staff told commissioners the proposal covers just over 16 acres and would include about 82 town‑home units on five outlots. The applicant was listed as PY and the property owner as Bridgewater Bank Shares, Incorporated; the site is designated Village Medium Density Residential in the 2040 comprehensive plan.

"Cash value would be $318,000," staff member Sophia said while reviewing park-dedication options; she also noted land equivalent would be about 1.6 acres. Staff's analysis concluded required trails for the larger Bridgewater development were already constructed and the site is partially within a community‑park search area and a regional/road‑separated trail search area. Based on those findings, staff recommended cash-in-lieu for this project.

Commissioners asked about existing trail segments and connectivity. Staff said trails were installed along Stillwater Boulevard and Stillwater Way, and that planned regional-trail alignments would connect in the future. Commissioners also noted internal sidewalks on the town‑home parcels and emphasized the project's existing connectivity as a factor in supporting cash‑in‑lieu.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval of the concept plan and acceptance of cash in lieu of land based on the staff report; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to recommend approval. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration.

The commission's materials list the site's park-dedication options, staff findings, and the staff recommendation for cash in lieu.