Agenda - Planning Commission - 01/03/2002

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units located on the private streets will be located 25 feet from back of street curb. All of the units will have driveways at least 25 feet in length. Staff has reviewed the proposed setbacks for the townhouse units from the road and find them acceptable. The sidewalk ordinance calls for sidewalk to be installed on all roads except cul-de-sacs. The developer has indicated in written correspondence that they will comply with City Ordinances. Sidewalk on one side of the street will be required on Iodine St., Flourine Court, 143ra Lane, 144th Lane, and 144th Circle. The grading and drainage plan is generally acceptable. However, there are several issues covered in the staff review letter that will need to be addressed. The Lower Rum River Water Management Agency (LRRWMO) will require a permit for the stormwater drainage into the wetlands. This permit will also address the adequacy of the erosion control measures during construction. The Park Commission will meet on Thursday, January 10, 2002 to review the preliminary plat and to make a determination on park and trail dedication matters. The Park Commission's actions will be reported to the City Council. Preliminary comments from Mark Boos, Park Director, regarding park dedication and trail issues are contained in the staff review letter. During the Planning Commission and City Council meetings in June of 2001, concerns were raised by residents of 145th Court regarding the buildability of Lot 2, Block 1. The residents were concerned that the lot was configured in such a way that only a very small house could fit on the lot. Residents were concerned that a small house would detract from the existing homes in the area. Staff has reviewed the lot and has determined that a house with a footprint of at least 1100 square feet can be located within the setback area. The developer has prepared an architectural drawing and a floor plan for a house that could be located on the property. The Planning Commission also heard a lot of testimony regarding the saving of trees along the existing path, the peninsula, and the perimeter of the development property. Royal Oaks Realty has agreed to leave these lots as custom lots and leave the trees on the residential lots. Each buyer of the lots will then decide how many and which trees will be removed when they build a house on the lot. Staff has asked for additional information regarding tree preservation to be submitted to the City. Shortly after the City Council meeting regarding the original preliminary plat, the City received notice from the State Environmental Quality Board (EQB) that a citizen petition had been filed in relation to The Ponds subdivision requesting that the City require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) be prepared for the development. Prior to the meeting, staff had already determined that a mandatory EAW was not required since the minimum thresholds that the State of Minnesota requires for environmental review were not exceeded. State regulations require the City Council to determine whether or not an EAW should be required once a valid petition has been submitted to the EQB. Due to the fact the original plan was withdrawn, the City Council has not made any determination on the EAW. The revised preliminary plat will require the City Council to make a determination on whether or not an EAW should be required. After the June City Council meeting, the City had Pro Source Technologies, Inc. review the development proposal to determine if an EAW was needed and to respond to the citizen petition.