Agenda - Council - 04/26/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A2016-8 Staff Report April 5, 2016 Page 2 of 12 encourage and permit unified planning to achieve a compatible mixture and variety of land uses within the planned unit development district and with the existing and anticipated development in the surrounding area. The proposed development achieves these goals by incorporating a variety of land uses and combining the land uses through unified site planning. The size of the development site is smaller than the minimum size that is required, which is 5 acres. However, the size of the site is driven by the surrounding land uses. The development site could have been increased, but this would have expanded further into land that is environmentally sensitive and used as public open space and park land. The proposed development will follow other zoning regulations, which will result in the development itself being in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance. The smaller size of the development site will allow for more sensitive areas to be preserved as open space, and will not have any impact on the ability of the development itself to be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance. 2. The proposed variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan. There are various statements and goals in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that relate to this request. • Land Use Chapter Goal: Consider physical development within a community -wide framework which recognizes the unique aspects of the City's setting and ensures top quality design of new construction and development. • Land Use Chapter Goal: Assure that the City's land development regulations provide for efficiency, compatibility, compliance, variety, flexibility, and innovations. • Economic Development Chapter Goal: Diversify and Expand the Tax Base: To strengthen the tax base through balanced land use and business diversification The applicant is improving the property by constructing new buildings that will provide for both residential and commercial uses. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan and City goals listed above support the proposed variance to create a planned unit development district that is smaller than the minimum size of 5 acres. The development of land in the City must take into account the unique aspects of the City's setting, and the subject site is unique in its proximity to the Mississippi River and environmentally sensitive areas. Allowing for a smaller size also meets the goal of providing for flexibility and efficiency when considering land development regulations. Therefore, in general, the granting of variance would be consistent with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.