Agenda - Council - 02/08/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3) Rural Developing Subdivisi°n Ordinance Community Development Director Trudgeon reviewed that the City Council last discussed the draft cluster ordinance for the Rural Developing Area at the November 30, 2004 work session. Staff is bringing the ordinance back for further discussion. He indicated the basic concept of the ordinance is to allow property owners to develop, but does not close the door for the City on how they grow. In his estimation it is an easy decision to go this way. Staff would like to discuss the detail with the Council tonight. The Planning Commission was not in favor of the ordinance. Staff thinks there are very valid reasons to proceed with this ordinance. The City receives a lot of calls regarding development and it is important to get something in the process. Councilmember Strommen asked if this ordinance would work as a bridge towards the Comprehensive Plan amendment. Community Development Director Trudge°n replied the ordinance would help bridge in the short terns, but also for the long term. Staff is hoping this ordinance is the bridge to give people what they want now, and also bridge for the future providing the flexibility that is needed. Associate Planner Geisler presented a brief overview of the draft cluster ordinance for the Rural Developing Area. Councilmember Jeffrey noted staff has addressed a lot of the concerns raised during the Plmming Commission review of the ordinance. Associate Planner Geisler replied staff incorporated the following from the Plamfing Commission discussion: more direction on transportation and greenway system; net versus gross density; more detail on homeowners assoCiations; concerns about some of the upfi'ont costs of infrastructure. Councilmember Strommen indicated this ordinance should also be used as a tool for open space preservation, in relation to sprawl, the flip side on density is to also be able to cluster the open space. She stated this ordinance is a great:tool and an opportunity is really being missed by not including the planning of the open space preservation. The open space planning is not happening in the detail needed in the Comprehensive Plan amendment Associate Planner Wald replied staff is broadening the scope on the key green space and open space planning and is actively trying to incorporate that into the decisions the Council is making. Due to this, the open house meeting may be pushed out another month. She indicated there will be a joint meeting scheduled with the City Council and Planning Commission. City Administrator Norman indicated people are now making plans on spring construction, and there will likely be a lot of development requests coming in. He suggested this ordinance be adopted, and changes can be made as the open space and Comprehensive Plan amendment process proceeds. He expressed concern if there is nothing in the books the door will be open to many more 2.5 acre developments. City Council Work Session/January 19, 2005 page 5 of 8