Agenda - Council - 07/25/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember LeTourneau referenced the idea of custom grading and asked if this would be a spec development or whether it would be custom development. City Planner Anderson replied that it is his understanding that the developer is looking to create the lots and sell those to builders. He was unsure whether the builders would be doing spec homes or custom homes. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that perhaps the new homeowner could be given the option of custom grading in attempt to save some of the existing oaks on their property as a method to mitigate the loss. City Planner Anderson confirmed that this could be moved forward and staff could continue to explore that option with the developer and the engineering department prior to the review of the Preliminary Plat by the Planning Commission. Board Member Hiatt stated that he drove through the development portion to the south and noticed that it is fairly open, although meeting the requirements of the City. Board Member Covart asked and received confirmation that a pond would be created with this development as part of the stormwater management requirements. City Planner Anderson noted that per the City ordinance, the trees needed to be removed for the stormwater pond are not counted towards the total loss of trees. He noted that required trails and major/connector streets are also exempt from the tree removal total. Councilmember LeTourneau referenced the lots that meet up with more rural lots from the development southeast of this parcel and received confirmation that the density transitioning required for those lots would be similar to what is required for this development. Chairperson Stodola asked if there is consideration to making these lots larger. City Planner Anderson replied that the City does not have to approve a zoning or Comprehensive Plan amendment, but noted that there is something to be said that these lots would be consistent with the existing portion of the development. Board Member Hiatt stated that if there is a way to preserve that oak forest, it should be. He noted that if two to three homes were constructed under the current zoning, that would preserve more of the oak forest. Chairperson Stodola stated that there are a lot of trees being removed with this plan and therefore he would not support the Tree Plan and Landscape Plan as proposed. City Planner Anderson stated that the request meets the minimum requirements under City Code. He stated that the application is not deficient in meeting the minimum standards and therefore if this were challenged legally the City would likely have no legs to stand on.