Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/16/2023 - Special

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Special Planning Commission Meeting Date: 02/16/2023 By: Todd Larson, Community Development Information Title: Residential Districts Purpose/Background: At the January 26 Planning Commission meeting,we discussed the proposed business districts section of the Zoning Code update and asked for some direction on some topics within residential districts. Those topics included rural residential lot areas, density transitioning, and what the "standard" urbanized single-family lot dimensions should be. Some direction was provided as well as requests for more information. Staff researched several other communities that have similar growth characteristics as Ramsey--communities with a MUSA boundary dividing the city into rural and urban areas and cities that are subject to the Metropolitan Council review. Attached is a table of the findings for the discussion on the standard urban single-family lot and rural residential lots. Rural residential lot areas: From the research, Ramsey's existing R-1 Rural Developing (R-1 RD) lot area standards appear to be typical of the other communities'rural residential districts. With only about one-quarter of Ramsey's R-1 RD lots meeting the current 2.5-acre standard, staff is proposing to add a second district for a 1-acre lot minimum. This would allow for more lots to be in compliance with the regulations,though there will likely be over one thousand lots still considered legal nonconforming. An updated map requested by the Planning Commission showing only the R-1 RD lots is attached (staff previously included lots zoned PUD created for the sole purpose of averaging lot areas on a map). Staff research found that some communities do have their rural residential districts starting at 1 acre. A question came up about the potential of opening up additional lots for subdivision given a smaller lot area. Staff has contemplated maintaining the same lot width requirements for both districts so that a property is not split in a long-and-skinny way. The "standard" urbanized single-family district: The current urbanized single-family residential district most used in Ramsey is the R-1 MUSA-80 district. With a quarter-acre lot area and 80 feet in width, it has been difficult, if not impossible,to meet the required density range from the Comprehensive Plan of 3.0-4.0 units per acre. Density calculations include local roadways and storm water management. High volume roadways, like County or State roadways as well as natural wetlands are excluded from the density calculations. Staff s proposal is to slightly reduce the lot width by five feet and area by 890 square feet in hopes of attaining the required density. This proposal appears to be in-line with other communities. It should be noted that many communities have a lower density range. Staff is currently in discussion with our Metropolitan Council Sector Representative to understand this. Density Transitioning: At the January Planning Commission meeting, staff presented pictures of where the current standard of transitioning between urban and rural densities posed some challenges, especially regarding ownership of buffer outlots and to over-planting trees. Feedback from the Commission was that there should not be this type of transitioning done between the same uses--single-family. The consensus was that there should be transitioning or buffering between different uses, such as between single-family and townhomes or between residential and non-residential uses. The language that is proposed in the attached draft simplifies the requirements by adding 35 feet to the lot size and principal structure setback when adjacent to a different use. Within that 35-foot area,