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Chairperson Bauer stated that the City's long-range plan identifies the zoning that specifies the <br />type of development that would be allowed on parcels, but the requests come forward at the will <br />of development. He stated that this proposal would continue the density allowed on the parcel but <br />would request an amendment to the lot width. <br />Brian Walker, 17289 Variolite St NW, stated that even with the poor condition of Variolite there <br />are cars drag racing side by side in front of his home. He believed that additional residential <br />development would only increase those traffic problems. He stated that most of the residents that <br />have spoken in opposition live on lots ranging in size from one acre to ten acres. He stated that he <br />is relatively new to the area and purchased the home based on the Comprehensive Plan the City <br />had. He asked how the City can not justify allowing 55 wide lots in an area that is rural. <br />Chairperson Bauer commented that the Comprehensive Plan identifies this parcel with zoning that <br />allows 80-foot lot and this request is simply for smaller width. He stated that this parcel is not <br />zoned for 2.5 acre lots. <br />Christine Reud commented that she understands that the Comprehensive Plan speaks of balancing <br />the rural character of the community with growth and asked how the City justifies the proposed <br />development on the agenda tonight that detracts from the rural character of this area of the city. <br />She stated that she would prefer to have 80-foot lots and less homes. <br />Senior Planner McGuire Brigl identified the areas of the City marked for development with City <br />sewer and water and those areas identified for well and septic. <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that a balance of urban growth and rural character <br />was an overarching theme of the Comprehensive Plan and noted that the majority of the City is <br />still planned to remain rural with larger lots and sewer and well. He noted that the urban growth <br />follows the availability of City utilities (sewer/water). He stated that the question before the <br />Commission tonight is related to the lot width. <br />Ms. Reud asked if the developer commented that the smaller lots would sell from $250,000 to <br />$650,000. <br />Mr. Schmidt replied that the finished homes would range from $350,000 $600,000 noting that the <br />smaller lot homes would begin at the lower price and the larger lots would have the higher priced <br />homes. <br />Ms. Reud asked if the $350,000 range is the product that the developer believes that empty nesters <br />and first-time buyers would select. <br />Mr. Schmidt confirmed that it is difficult to build a new home for less than that price in today's <br />market. He stated that when the home value averages $400,000 that does not devalue the existing <br />property values. <br />Planning Commission/ May 7, 2020 <br />Page 16 of 29 <br />