Agenda - Council - 03/11/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of the Planning Commission. He reiterated that nothing will happen unless the City Council approves the preliminary plat. The preliminary plat is the key. Terry Hendriksen inquired if the Council would accept the preliminary plat application if the property is currently zoned R-1 Rural. Attomey Goodrich replied that the rezoning should be a portion of the sketch plan procedure and City Council will react on that issue before it acts on the preliminary plat. He added that they could actually be dealt with simultaneously. Mayor Gamec called for a break at 9:58 p.m. Mayor Gamec reconvened the Council meeting at 10:08 p.m. Case #4: Consider Initial Research Regarding Impacts of Development on Existing Neighborhoods Planning Intern Kirk Skoog noted that in recent Council workshops, concern has been expressed regarding the impacts of new development on existing neighborhoods within the community. Possible steps to address this issue include creating buffer zones between rural and urban residential areas, establishing architectural review standards, low density zoning, etc. He reported that many cities have ordinances that require buffers between residential and commercial and residential and industrial. He stated he has not been able to find one that requires a buffer between two different types of residential development. Relating to architectural standards, staff has conducted initial research that has produced information on setting standards for community design and appearance that focuses on design quality and maintenance including buffering and screening requirements, building design guidelines, and property standards. He noted other information he obtained that discusses the ability of cities to adopt and enforce zoning ordinances based on aesthetic considerations. The State Statutes lists broad categories of things that cities may regulate in their zoning ordinances, however, past legal challenges to aesthetic control suggest that legally defensible controls should include explicit guidelines for regulating community appearance. Mr. Skoog asked that Council review and discuss these issues and provide staff with guidance in order to further pursue these topics. Mayor Gamec commented on dealing with this in the review of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Councilmember Haas Steffen requested discussing Case #4, #5 and #6 all together because this case deals with the initial research, the next case deals with the comprehensive plan and the third case deals with the moratorium. She felt the discussions are related. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Beahen that Council discuss Case g4, 5, and 6 all at the same time. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Beyer, Beahen, Haas Steffen and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #5: Comprehensive Plan Amendment Case #6: Development Moratorium City Attorney Gooch'ich noted his memorandum to Council relating to a development moratorium. Council has the authority to adopt an interim ordinance to establish a development moratorium That can deal with subdivisions, building permits and other building type uses. The moratorium must be for the protection of the planning process, health, safety and welfare of the City. This City Council/February 25, 1997 Page 22 of 28 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I