Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/08/2005

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Community Development Director Trudgeon stated the Planning Commission reviewed the sketch plan fbr Brookfield Addition at its January 6 and March 3 meetings and held a public hearing on the request for the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. A large audience attended and concerns were expressed relative to density transition, road connections, and traffic, particularly the ability of existing streets to handle increased traffic, and change in character of neighborhood. The Planning Commission discussed the request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Sketch Plan Review and raised similar concerns. The Planning Commission recommends, on a split 4-2-1 vote, denial of the request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised that the developer exercised his fight to submit a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Staff recommends approval because all three of the development scenarios reviewed by the Council and Planning Commission show the subject property being developed as Low-Density Residential; because of its size, Brookfield Addition will require an EAW that will' address transportation, environmental requirements, and water quality in greater detail' than the Comprehensive Plan rewrite; City staff met with Metropolitan Council staff' and they indicated there is currently sewer capacity available to service property south of Trott Brook. The Metropolitan CoUncil is also supportive of the City processing the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to accommodate immediate requests for services and advised the City to submit the major Comprehensive Plan rewrite later this Fall when regional systems plans are updated. Staff is requesting Council action on the Comprehensive Plan amendment and comments on the sketch plan. Mayor Gamec asked if one of the streets medians will contain an island. Community Development Director Trudgeon stated Mr. Peterson is proposing an amenity and staff will look at the roadway alignments and traffic pattern. Tony Lee, 16685 Garnet Street, stated he believes that a lot of the discussion is on Ramsey ' lifestyle. He asked if there is any room for bargaining from .5 acres or .7 acres to 2.5 acres. Mayor Gamec stated the City is looking at planning 20 years out and one of the worst things the City did was to require 2.5 acre lots. He stated the City needs to look at the best way to locate a house that takes into consideration future subdivision. Generally, the City has stayed with certain sizes tbr sewered lots but there have also been cases of larger perimeter lots. Mr. Lec urged the Council to consider lot sizes of 1 acre, 1.5 acre, or 2 acres. Mayor Gamec stated he doubts there will be lots that large, such as 2 acres. He explained ~,;ometimes people with 2.5 acre sewered and watered are unable to divide in a feasible or economical manner. Councilmember Cook noted the City has a density transitioning ordinance; however, it is the developer's land. It is the City's responsibility to determine the zoning. City Council / March 22, 2005 Page 25 of 38 23