Agenda - Council Work Session - 08/13/2013

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A20 1 3-9b Staff Report July 9, 2013 Page 7 of 9 Anoka, and Lower Rum River Water Management Organization. Right now there is an opportunity to get greater access to the bank and toe with more choices to stabilize the bank and most likely a less costly method to stabilize and address the erosion that is occurring on the bank. The goal is to protect the river long-term, preserve water quality, stabilize the bank, take out the invasive species, replant with appropriate vegetation and monitor the area to create a stable slope. The new vegetation will be maintained in a natural state (not "manicured") in perpetuity so that as the trees and plants mature, they will screen views of the homes from the river. Housing StyIe/Types The Builders within the subdivision will be Hanson Builder and Jonathan Homes. The City of Anoka established architectural control for homes build within the Sensitive Development District. The proposed housing styles either meet, or exceed requirements outlined in the design criteria in the ordinance. The design criterion addresses residential facade, encouraging architectural features, variation, scale, materials, finishes and colors. The proposed housing designs provide the option of all siding, stone, brick facades or combination of the aforementioned. The Developer has stated that the siding will be steel, not vinyl and the driveways will be concrete. The objective of the development is to provide the City of Anoka with housing for move -up families and moderate to higher income first time homebuyers or empty nesters. Staff Findings The proposal to amend the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map from Medium Density Residential to Low Density Residential is consistent with the guidelines relating to land use, housing, and transportation sections of the Comprehensive Plan. The property is adjacent to the Anoka Nature Preserve, Rum River Library and within a short walking distance to Anoka High School. The proposed housing style will offer new, single family housing in the City of Anoka that adds to the City's life -cycle housing choices and helps Anoka retain residents that may otherwise have been lost to other communities. RECOMMENDATION Staff has outlined the following four recommendations for the Planning Commission to consider and shall be reviewed and considered in the order noted: 1. Based on the findings outlined in the staff report, staff recommends approval of the comprehensive plan land use map amendment from Medium Density Residential to Low Density Residential contingent upon Metropolitan Council approval based on the findings that are outlined in the staff report. 2. The proposed preliminary plat currently meets all City ordinance and Minnesota Department of Natural Resource standards. Based on the findings outlined in the staff report, staff recommends