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

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A2011-9 Staff Report July 6, 2011 Page 4 of 7 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 report to the City Council on May 23rd provided reasoning for the location of developable land based on the suitability of the soil and difficulty to develop the north part due to issues underground. If development of this site were to occur, residential uses are the most compatible to the adjacent uses. Commercial or industrial uses would not fit the neighborhood and could cause a greater environmental impact. Because of the unique shape of the developable area, cluster type housing may occur. The R-3 will allow the densities need for this type of development. 7. The need for the proposed use at the proposed location. Staff Finding: This site is special because of its seclusion and location adjacent to the wetland. The study of the larger 53.95 acres shows only a small area than can be developed. 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 believes that this type of site is ideal for a niche housing development that would assist to diversify the city's housing stock. 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT The 27.8 acre piece of land currently categorized as Undeveloped Space on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Land Use map. Undeveloped Space is defined as "public land that is currently open, however, may or may not support development for any purpose in the future." The proposed R-3 zoning requires a land use map amendment from Undeveloped Space to Medium Density Residential as State Statutes require a City's comprehensive plan to be consistent with the zoning ordinance. The remaining land north of the subject area would remain Undeveloped Space on the land use map. Surrounding Land Uses EXISTING USES ZONING DISTRICT DESIGNATION CURRENT LAND USE DESIGNATION City bone yard, R -F Rural Farm Undeveloped Space NORTH storage area WEST Single-Family/Multi- R-1 Single Family Residential; Low Density, High Family Residential R-3 Low Density Multi- Density Residential family; R-4 High Density Multi -family