Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/02/2011 - Special Jt Mtg w CC

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Subdivision Ordinance Authority Minnesota Statute Section 462.358 authorizes cities to regulate subdivision of land within the municipality. The subdivision ordinance generally can extend its application to unincorporated land within two miles of city limits if the township has not adopted subdivision regulations. Although the subdivision ordinance is sometimes viewed as secondary to the zoning ordinance, in communities that are not fully developed and have open land, the subdivision ordinance is arguably more important than the zoning ordinance in affecting future land use patterns. e Minnesota cities have a considerable amount of latitude in N More Information Learn more about cities' authority to regulate land in: • The Land Use Cook Book: It's Not All Cookie Cutter It's available in the Land Use area of the League website at www.lmc.ora. the regulation of subdivisions. But that latitude must be exercised through the subdivision ordinance by laying out specific standards and requirements that must be met for subdivision approval. The statute explains that: The standards and requirements in the regulations may address without limitation: the size, location, grading, and improvement of lots, structures, public areas, streets, roads, trails, walkways, curbs and gutters, water supply, storm drainage, lighting, sewers, electricity, gas, and other utilities; the planning and design of sites; access to solar energy; and the protection and conservation of flood plains, shore lands, soils, water, vegetation, energy, air quality, and geologic and ecologic features. Minimum Internal Development Standards Because the statutory power provided is wide in scope, subdivision ordinances can vary greatly from city to city. The goal of the subdivision standards is to help the city envision the "look and function" of the new development when it reviews an application for the division of land. At a minimum, most subdivision ordinances have standards and require information about: • The layout and width of proposed road rights -of -way and utility easements; • Road grades and drainage plans; • Plans for water supply, sanitary sewer or sewage handling and treatment; and • Stormwater management. Many subdivision ordinances also have standards and requirements related to such things as: • Lot size and front footage; • Block or cul-de-sac design; • Alleys, sidewalks, and trails; • Erosion and sediment control; • Tree preservation; and • Protection of wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas. Minimum External Development Standards An important consideration to include in the ordinance is how a proposed subdivision will relate to adjoining land uses, such as the connection of one neighborhood to another via roads, trails and open space, and how they relate to shared community services such as schools, parks, and public �� 2