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Chairperson Nixt stated he would be supportive of a reasonable proposal possibly in the form of <br />a planned unit development. He questioned what the history is of this parcel. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Frolik responded there is no history; it has always been <br />designated as single family residential. She added that if this Comprehensive Plan is approved, <br />the area would be new to the MUSA area. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson inquired whether there was any focused discussion on this area as the <br />Comprehensive Plan was discussed. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Frolik replied there was not. Most likely since it was <br />adjacent to rural land use, it was decided to keep it zoned low density residential, though this <br />property was never a specific area discussed. <br /> <br />Mr. Becker stated he would like to put a senior housing development in this area, similar to the <br />larger townhomes in Anoka. Since the area is rather secluded, he saw it as a prime area for a <br />senior retirement area. He said he is requesting the zoning be changed to medium density, <br />though he didn't think he would use it to the maximum. He stated he thought a low density <br />designation would not allow enough units per acre to make it worthwhile to build. He explained <br />he would like to build 5 units per acre, which would be approximately 160 large townhomes. <br />The existing structures on the land would be moved out. <br /> <br />Principal Planner Trudgeon commented that this land is surrounded by busy roads. This won't <br />abut any rural lots. He added that typically, higher density is acceptable by busy roads. <br /> <br />Mr. Becker noted that on two sides of the land, it is swamp. The side that abuts Sunfish Road is <br />the only busy side. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt laid out the options available to Mr. Becker which are to present a concept <br />plan, or request an amendment to the existing Comprehensive Plan. He mentioned it could be <br />months before the Comprehensive Plan is approved, and in order to move this item along it may <br />be best to present a request for an amendment to the current Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Watson noted that typically when senior housing is proposed for a given area, <br />some of the benefits would be that it is close to shoPPing or public transportation. This area <br />seems too rural for those benefits. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt said that 4 units per acre under the draft Comprehensive Plan seems to be a <br />good buffer next to the adjacent rural zoning. He said he might be inclined to see a concept plan <br />as the first step. Commissioner Johnson echoed the comments of Chairperson Nixt. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt stated he wouldn't recommend rezoning at this point nor would he recommend <br />a Comprehensive Plan land use change to medium density. He suggested these issues be <br /> <br />Planning Commission/October 4, 2001 <br /> Page 3 of 16 <br /> <br /> <br />