Minutes - Planning Commission - 03/03/2005

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designates the subject property as Rural Reserve. Development of Sweet Bay Ridge with urban services requires a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the subject property's land use designation it'om Rural Reserve to Low Density Residential. Community Development Director Trudgeon noted the Planning Commission reviewed the sketch pla~ for Sweet Bay Ridge (aka Gun Club Property) at its January 6, 2005 meeting. At that tim< City Staff reportcd that any decision on the sketch plan may be premature as the Comprehensive Plan amendment to consider extension of urban services to the northern areas of thc City is still in process. Per Staff's recommendation, action on the sketch plan was tabled until March to allow the City more time to work on the comprehensive plan amendment. Community Development Director Trudgeon stated the City Council and Planning Commission have mci in .joint work session twice to discuss the comprehensive plan amendment process. Ideally, the City would have completed the Comprehensive Plan rewrite prior to taking action on thc Comprehensive Plan Amendment requests for Sweet Bay Ridge and Brookfield. Oakwood l,and I)cvclopment has exercised their right to apply for an amendment; therefore the City is required to take action on the request in a timely manner, according to State Statute. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised that Oakwood Land Development has applied lk)r sketch plan approval of Sweet Bay Ridge to develop 165 urban service single-family residential lots on 102 acres on the property generally known as the St. Anthony Gun Club. Community Development Director Trudgeon explained that the property is currently located in thc R-1 Rural Reserve district and the minimum lot size is 10 acres. If the property is approved /'or development with urban services, the net density allowed under R-1 is 3 units per acre. The sketch plan reflccts a gross density of 1.6 units per acre; and a net density of 2.2 units per acre with wetlands factored out. All of the proposed lots appear to meet urban single-family standards lbr lot width, size, and frontage on a public road. Commtmity Development Director Trudgeon noted there are substantial wetlands on the proposed plat that will need to be delineated and encumbered with drainage and utility easements on thc prcliminmy and final plats. The grading and drainage plan will have to be reviewed and approved by the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization (LRRWMO). The sketch plan also ictentifies filling .36 acres of wetlands for roads. The Wetland Conservation Act establishes a sequencing process for wetland filling. The LRRWMO is also responsible for administration of the Wetland Conservation Act. Community Development Director Trudgeon explained that because the proposed development will disturb more than 80 acres of naturally vegetated and forested land, an environmental review is required. An Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) will be required as a part of the preliminary plat submittal. The property has been documented to contain contamination from lead shot. This site will need to have the contamination removed as a condition for the approval of this plat. Community l)evelopment Director Trudgeon stated the current City Code requires density transitioning between the project area and adjacent rural size lots. A Tree Preservation Plan will Planning Commission/March 3, 2005 Page 3 of 22