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moratorium was effective June 14, 2004 through September 12, 2004. During that time, staff <br />drafted an ordinance that would require small lot cluster subdivisions with common septic <br />systems to be developed if a property owner within the Rural Developing area wanted to <br />subdivide their land. This requirement would allow for the landowner to develop now and still <br />provide the flexibility for the property to be serviced by municipal sewer and water in the future. <br />Over the course of several meetings this past summer, the Planning Commission discussed the <br />particulars of the ordinances, culminating with a public hearing held on August 5, 2004. At that <br />meeting, after a lot of discussion and debate, the Planning Commission acted negatively to the <br />ordinance. It is now being brought before the Council for discussion. Staff felt the Planning <br />Commission should have acted in a more advisory role. He advised this ordinance was designed <br />to plan roi' development, and could go right to the Council for ordinance adoption. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Geisler reviewed a map of the Rural Developing area. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec commented he has looked at divisions in Ham Lake and Elk River developed at a <br />higher density with a central septic system. He suggested it would be beneficial to tour these <br />types ol: developments. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated there are some developments <br />that staffhas toured in Elk River, and this could be set up for Councilmembers as well. <br /> <br />Councihnember Elect Jeffrey stated he would be interested in looking at these developments, <br />determining how they started, and if they are successful today. <br /> <br />There was considerable discussion concerning the ordinance and issues associated with allowing <br />development, sewer and water, preserving greenspace, variety of lot sizes and density. <br /> <br />Councilmcmber Elvig indicated he watched the Planning Commission meeting, and the sticking <br />point of the Commission was how they interpreted the ordinance. The Council should look at the <br />policy on the ordinance, and if the Council is in agreement on that they should direct the <br />Planning Commission to move forward with the ordinance. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon advised regarding density, on a map it <br />will look denser with more units clustered together. However, this ordinance would not actually <br />change the density allowed, it makes it more compact. <br /> <br />Gary Van Scoy, Member of the Planning Commission, stated during the discussion at the <br />Planning Commission meeting it was his interpretation that this ordinance was a radical change <br />of interpretation of the comprehensive plan, and it appeared to him that they were changing the <br />comprehensive plan. It did not seem to him this was an appropriate method to change the <br />comprehensive plan. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated the comprehensive plan dictates <br />that this area should be developed at a 2 ½ acre density, and this ordinance still allows that. He <br />does not believe the comprehensive plan is being undermined. The density is consistent, and the <br /> <br />City Council Work Session/November 30, 2004 <br /> Page 5 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br />