Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/26/2021

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feet of property boundary adjacent to impacted use: .8 overstory trees . 8 evergreen trees .8 understory trees . Vegetative Buffer "B" with a berm - a minimum 35 feet in width in common ownership with the following planting schedule per 100 feet of property boundary adjacent to impacted use: .4 overstory trees . 4 evergreen trees .4 understory trees If vegetative buffer "B" is utilized, the berm shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and should be designed with aesthetic appeal, including breaks and irregular groups of plantings. The Site Plan does include a forty-five (45) foot wide corridor along the common lot line along the north and west property boundaries. As proposed, it appears that it is included within each of the individual lots. Per City Code, this is supposed to be held in common ownership, which helps eliminate restrictions placed on individual lots and future homeowners. Alternatives Alternative #1: Motion to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat and the Zoning Amendment with the following contingencies: 1. Zoning Amendment only to rezone the R-3 Residential (High Density) portion to R-2 Residential (Medium Density); leaving the R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 80 as is. 2. Approval of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 3. Full compliance with density transitioning standards 4. Anoka County Highway Department approval of second access onto Armstrong Boulevard (or, in lieu of that, a second access to the existing local road network) 5. Modifications to ensure compliance with all bulk standards of the applicable zoning districts The project represents a good transition to the existing residential neighborhoods to the north and west. Also, a second access, if approved, addresses the concerns previously raised about a single point of access to this many homes. Staff supports this alternative. Alternative #2: Recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat and Zoning Amendment as requested with the following contingencies: 1. Approval of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2. Full compliance with density transitioning standards 3. Anoka County Highway Department approval of second access onto Armstrong Boulevard (or, in lieu of that, a second access to the existing local road network) 4. Modifications to ensure compliance with all bulk standards of the applicable zoning districts The City Council has already indicated that they do not support the rezoning from R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 80 to R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 65. Staff does not support this alternative. Alternative #3: Motion to recommend denial of the Preliminary Plat and Zoning Amendment. This action would indicate a desire to see the Subject Property development in accordance with R-3 Residential (High Density) District standards, including a density of 8-15 units per acre. The Planning Commission previously supported the requested CPA, and the public input received during the Sketch Plan review indicated support for this style of development (compared to apartment buildings). Staff does not support this alternative. Funding Source: All costs associated with this request are the Applicant's responsibility. Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Zoning Amendment to rezone the R-3 Residential (High Density) portion of the Subject Property to R-2 Residential (Medium Density) but does not support rezoning the R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 80 area to R-1 Residential (MUSA) - 65. Approval of the Zoning Amendment needs to be contingent upon approval of the CPA. Staff recommends approval of the Preliminary Plat with the following contingencies (these have been incorporated into the draft resolution): . Approval of the Zoning Amendment to rezone R-3 Residential (High Density) to R-2 Residential (Medium Density)