Agenda - Council - 10/25/2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A2011 -12b Staff Report August 3, 2011 Page 3 of 9 Minnesota Statutes and Rules that apply to this area. Though the city will have some local control, a majority of zoning regulations would be applied through the Rum River Wild and Scenic regulations. For example, lot sizes must be a minimum of 15,000 sf. within the Wild and Scenic, as compared to just 10,000 sf. in a typical residential area. Generally the more strict DNR regulations should protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. However, approximately 9.7 acres are outside of the Wild and Scenic area and will be solely regulated by the Sensitive Development District which allows medium density residential land use. The purpose of this district is to create residential development that is designed to prevent and mitigate irreversible damage to natural resources and to preserve and enhance their values to the public. Based on the purpose of the district and the regulations that are present in the ordinance, staff believes the rezoning of the entire area should protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. 3. Whether the City and other service providers will be able to provide sufficient public safety, transportation and utility facilities and services to the subject property, while maintaining sufficient levels of service to existing development. Staff Findings: The property is located adjacent to CSAH 116. A road easement was also provided for in the conservation easement to allow access from 6th Avenue. This easement is shown on the survey map that is provided. Initially when development for this area was discussed, it was assumed that this area would only have access from 6th Avenue. However, in the past year the city and Anoka County have been in discussion about the potential of a full, signalized access point from CSAH 116 that would provide access to this area, but also the area east of the library. This access point and road connection is shown on the "potential access road" map. The city commissioned a traffic study to determine whether an intersection at this location would meet warrants for full signalization. The study showed that if development were to occur north of CSAH 116, the intersection would meet warrants for a signal. Anoka County will be upgrading the intersection at CSAH 116 and 7th Avenue in 2012. A new intersection from CSAH 116 to serve any development north would not be part of this project and would not occur until development occurs. This additional access should alleviate traffic on 6th Avenue that may be created as a result of development. Based on the proposed improvements to the transportation system in the area, staff believes sufficient transportation service will be maintained. The property will be serviced by city utilities. Currently there is an 8 inch water line that provides service to the Anoka County Library and is located under 6th Avenue (dead end road adjacent to the library). This line would be of sufficient size to provide water service to any residential development west of the library. Sanitary sewer is also available under 6th Avenue and would provide service to west of the library. A lift station likely would be required due to changes in grade, however would not be difficult to accomplish.