Minutes - Planning Commission - 06/02/2005

Home

l lighway 47 at 160"~ Lane NW. She indicated the property is currently located in the R-1 Rural I)cveloping district, with a minimum density of 1 lot per 2.5 acres. The Planning Commission has just recommended it approval of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment request to change the property's land use designation to Low Density Residential. She stated all of the proposed lots ineet urban single-family standards for lot width, size, and frontage on a public road. Associate l>lanner Geisler stated there are substantial wetlands on the proposed plat. She indicatcd thc applicant is voluntarily showing a 10-foot wetland buffer on the preliminary plat, which is not yet required by City Code. She stated some revisions to the grading and drainage plan arc rcquircd per the City Staff Review Letter. Associate l~lanner Geisler noted that current City Code requires density transitioning between the project area and adjacent rural size lots. She stated there is significant tree cover on the site that com bi ned with the wetland area will largely satisfy density transition requirements on the site, in Staft's opinion. She indicated Staff is recommending at a minimum additional plantings on Lot 30 Block 2, l,ot 16 Block 3, Lots 2-4 Block 1, and additional evergreen plantings along Highway 47 tbr butTering purposes. Associate I'ianncr Geisler stated the preliminary plat proposes to provide public access from [lighway 47 at 160th Lane NW, and to connect to 162nd Avenue NW to the east. She indicated a stub street is shown to provide access to the north at a future date. She stated Mn/Dot has pr{)viclcd comments on the proposal and will require both north and south turn lanes into the development. She indicated a traffic generation analysis has been prepared. Associatc l~lanner Geisler advised the City's Park and Trail Plan shows a proposed trail on the east side of Itighway 47. She stated the Park and Recreation Commission is in the process of updating this plan. She indicated the draft plan shows a trail connection from Highway 47 to the cast through thc subject property to the Rum River. She noted that Staff is recommending that ~his connection be included within the proposed plat. She stated Staff recommends approval of the request for preliminary plat. Public ! Icaring Stove Rick stated he understands that sewer and water is not far away. Associate l'lanncr Geisler indicated it is currently on the other side of Highway 47. Mr. Rick asked if City sewer and water will be available to his property. City l.;ngineer Jankowski indicated sewer and water would be extended throughout the development, and extend to streets that adjoin the property. Mt-. Rick stated he was told when he started working on his house that sewer and water would havc to come from the north. He indicated on the south side of his property there is an easement over his driveway for the neighbor. He asked if he could vacate that easement now. Planning Commission/June 2, 2005 Page 14 of 22