Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/05/2010

Home

Multiple shoreland classification A new section is proposed that intends to provide local governments with the option of having more than one classification on a given water body; for example, within a general development lake to have a natural- environment bay. This proposal is consistent with the existing rule that allows the commissioner to expand the shoreland classification system. Different development standards in bays and areas with critical fish and wildlife habitat are warranted and needed given documented and predicted losses to habitat from development. Conservation Subdivisions The proposed standards include conservation subdivisions. These draft provisions attempt to address the shortcomings of conventional subdivisions and to promote developments that are Less expensive to developers, more desired by potential buyers, and that offer greater protection and conservation of natural resources in the shorelands. Such provisions are reasonable and can be found elsewhere in the United States. Planned Unit Developments Planned unit developments (PUDs) were envisioned to achieve the same benefits as conservation subdivisions; however, the 1970s-era open space standards were ambiguous and weak. Thus, many of the open space amenity benefits were never realized. Many people have sought higher standards for PUDs. Most significantly, the proposed standards incorporate elements from a new and better approach to residential development. That new approach is conservation subdivisions. Conservation subdivisions are an important tool used elsewhere to provide better lots for homeowner while protecting water quality, promoting economic development, and creating open space for recreational use, wildlife, and preserving riparian buffers. Second, to address the now realized shortcomings of the existing PUD standards, the proposed standards have new provisions for PUDs that: • Define `clustering' or `clustered'; • Define and specifies the quality of open space standards; • Clarify the PUD definition. Development within Cities, Planned Unit Development Options, and the Use of Mitigation The proposal provides flexibility in development, with use of several different development options. First, where land dedication or a land preservation agreement of the riparian area is elected or required, density and the minimum lot width and lot size may be the same as for the underlying zoning district. The City of Woodbury has used this approach to protect sensitive riparian areas while providing developers the opportunity ity to create more lots and build more homes on a project site. Second, the lot size and density may be the same as for the underlying zoning district for cities (1) in areas served by sewer; (2) the stormwater facilities within the area have adequate maintenance standards and the city has identified the responsible parties for such maintenance; and (3) the area is within an existing residential area having at 134