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

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A2011 -12b Staff Report August 3, 2011 Page 5 of 9 proposed zoning district and DNR Wild and Scenic regulations attempt to address the following to limit adverse impacts: • No private river lots are permitted due to the conservation easement detaching the area from the Rum River. • Reduced single family densities compared to typical residential development. • Requiring less impervious surface for single family residential uses. • Requires architectural standards for the housing to ensure a long lasting, quality end product. • Stormwater management • Tree preservation If development is proposed, the Planning Commission and City Council will have a specific opportunity to address potential adverse impacts on adjacent property and require certain conditions upon a development approval. Based on this finding, staff believes that though there could be a change from what exists today, the proposed amendment will have the least impact and more importantly not a significant adverse impact on other property. 6. The suitability of the subject property for the existing zoning classification and proposed zoning classification. Staff Findings: The property is currently zoned R -F, Rural Farm and has been since the property was annexed. R -F zoning exists in four places throughout the city. In this area, east of 11th Avenue, King's Island, and the Anoka County Fairgrounds parking lot. R -F generally permits single family uses at a very low density (minimum lot size of 2.5 acres), agricultural, and public uses. In general, this zoning district likely should be removed from the zoning code and these areas zoned more accordingly. However, the existing uses do fall within the permitted uses in the district. The zoning district is specific to property in sensitive areas near the Rum River. Because the City Council has expressed interest in developing this property, it makes sense to have a zoning classification that will provide for development that is designed to prevent and mitigate irreversible damage to natural resources and to preserve and enhance their values to the public. As such, the proposed zoning classification is more suitable than other classifications for development. 7. The need for the proposed use at the proposed location. Staff Finding: This site is special because of its location adjacent to the Rum River and Anoka Nature Preserve. According to reports about today's housing market, housing developers are looking for smaller, unique sites, closer to Minneapolis and St. Paul for development. This is in contrast to the large tracts of farmland that were developed in the 2000s in the exurbs (Monticello, Otsego, Rosemount, etc.). Based on this trend, staff