Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/08/2005

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be required at the time of preliminary plat review and approval. The Developer has consulted with City Staff regarding the tree preservation plan and some oak wilt control work on the site. Community Development Director Trudgeon explained a traffic generation analysis will be required at the time of preliminary plat review. The sketch plan proposes to provide public access fkom 3 entrances onto Variolite Street, which is acceptable to the Engineering Department. Traprock Street is also proposed to be extended north into the plat from Traprock Commons to the south. At the time Traprock Commons was platted, Traprock Street was terminated in a temporary cul-de-sac with the intention of eventually extending Traprock to serve the property to the north. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised that the proposed plat was reviewed for park dedication requirements by the Park Commission at their January meeting. It is anticipated that at a minimum, trail development will .be required parallel to Variolite from Alpine Drive to the northernmost boundary of the-plat. Another trail segment will be required in an east/west direction through 'the plat to connect the trail system between Elmcrest Park and Central Park. Community Development Director Trudgeon explained the City Staff is recommending approval o f' the applicant's request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment for several reasons. First, all three of the development scenarios reviewed by the City Council and the Planning Commission show the subject property being developed as Low-Density Residential. Second, because of its size, Second, Sweet Bay Ridge will require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), which will address transportation, environmental requirements, and water control in greater detail than the comprehensive plan rewrite. Third, City Staff met with Metropolitan Staff and they indicated that there is currently sewer capacity available to service property south of Trott Brook. Met Council Staff' is also supportive of the City processing comPrehensive plan amendments 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. Citizen Input Mr. John Peterson,. 16735 Nowthen Boulevard, Oakwood Land Development, stated his profession is a neighborhood builder and he worked hard to create quality homes for families. He stated he is working to the needs and issues that are there. He stated different agencies, including the Metropolitan Council; feel it is environmentally right to develop these large open spaces with urban services. Mr. Peterson stated the general consensus of the neighborhood is that the area will eventually develop with municipal sewer and water. He indicated there will not be any townhomes on these two sites. He noted if municipal sewer and water is brought to these sites, they have two development proposals at densities that are less than what the ordinance allows for R-1 with municipal sewer and water. Mr. Peterson stated the neighborhood he wants to develop is not an example of cramming as many homes as they can on the land. He stated they have spread out the density throughout the Planning Commission/March 3, 2005 Page 4 of 22 59