Agenda - Council - 03/14/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 7. 1. Meeting Date: 03/14/2017 By: Tim Gladhill, Community Development Information Title: Receive Update on Covenant Meadows and Consider Environmental Review Options (Project#17-102); Case of Eric Thomsen Purpose/Background: This case is for update purposes only. No action is being requested at this time. The Planning Commission postponed action at theirMarch 2 meeting to spend more time addressing concerns raised by neighboring property owners regarding impacts to ecological and wildlife resources. It was requested that the City explore a discretionary Environmental Assessment Worksheet(LA W) or Citizen Petition EA W. The City will be hosting a workshop on the project on Thursday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss neighbor concerns in more detail. The project does not reach the threshold for a mandatory LA W. The mandatory threshold for Ramsey's community type is based on number of unattached units. The proposed project is twelve (12) lots. Additionally, there are a number of requirements of an LA that go beyond the concerns raised by adjoining neighbors. Finally, Staff believes the Planned Unit Development process that permanently protects fifteen (15) acres of prime ecological resource along the Trott Brook Corridor is the correct approach to protect ecological resources in the area. In order to bridge the gap, Staffhas made a request to the DNR for a database ofpotential endangered or threatened species, a component of an LA W. Staff is updating the City Council based on the level offeedbackat the Public Hearing. Councilmembers may receive communication from residents on this project. Original case for the Planning Commission starts below. The purpose of this case is to review an application for a Rezoning of the Subject Project from R-1 Rural Developing to Planned Unit Development(PUD) and Preliminary Plat. The site is generally located south of Trott Brook and west of Germanium Street and is identified as PID 02-32-25-44-0004. The Applicant has proposed to subdivide the approximately thirty-eight(38) acre Subject Property into twelve (12) single family homes that would be serviced by individual private utilities. The Preliminary Plat proposes deeding approximately fifteen(15) of the thirty eight(38) acres to the City as the public benefit in relation to the PUD application. The proposed fifteen(15) acres straddles both sides of the Trott Brook,has steep slopes, and is also considered to be high quality natural open space. Notification: Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within a 700 foot radius of the Subject Property of the Public Hearing via Standard US Mail. The Public Hearing was also published in the City's official newsletter,the Anoka County Union Herald. Observations/Alternatives: The Applicant is proposing a rezoning of the Subject Property from R-1 Residential(Rural Developing)to Planned Unit Development(PUD) and Preliminary Plat approval of Covenant Meadows. Properties surrounding all sides of the Subject Property are currently zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing)and guided as Rural Developing.While the Applicant is requesting reduced lot sizes than what would normally be required in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) district,the proposed parcel sizes are similar in size and nature to surrounding parcels in that an adjacent parcel is 1.04 acres and the smallest parcel being proposed within