Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/17/2023 - Special

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2. 1. CC Special Work Session Meeting Date: 10/17/2023 PrimaryStrategic Plan Initiative: Create a positive image for residential neighborhoods,business districts and key g corridors. Title: Zoning Code Update Purpose/Background: Over the past year, staff and the Planning Commission have been working on updating the zoning portion of Chapter 117. This chapter has had several topic-based updates over the years,but nothing comprehensive. Cities are required to review their Zoning Codes after the adoption of a Comprehensive Plan to ensure the tools are in place to implement the Comprehensive Plan. Ramsey's Zoning Code is cumbersome to navigate,has lots of inconsistencies,has lots of redundancies, and has several burdensome regulations. Goals of this update are to make it easy to use and understand,to be consistent, and to make it less onerous for residents and businesses to invest in their properties. The attached draft Zoning Code includes all of the changes directed by the Council through the October 10, 2023, work session. Zoning Map Discussion At the October 10 City Council Work Session,there was brief discussion at the end about the proposed map and the assignment of the new districts. Staff met three times to discuss which districts and where they should go. Some Council Members expressed concern over the assignment of 65- (R-I B) and 50-foot(R-I C) single family lots. Staff used the following rationale when assigning these districts: 1. For existing lots that were already zoned R-1 MUSA-65 and R-1 MUSA-50. 2. For existing Planned Unit Developments that had these lot sizes with no additional restrictions or limitations in the PUD. 3. For areas that have significant wetlands, floodplains, or transmission line or gas pipeline easements that would not otherwise allow for the larger lot areas. 4. For areas that were separated from existing newer 80-foot lot developments by major roadways or other natural barriers. Staff can walk through each of the areas on the map. The goal of achieving the Council's policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan can be met by providing areas for the larger 80-foot lots that cannot meet the 3.0-4.0 units/acre range with areas for the smaller lots that can meet this density. Other Topics Please identify other topics or provisions for discussion. Timeframe: 60+minutes Funding Source: All work on this project was done internally without hiring a consultant, saving taxpayer dollars. Responsible Party(ies):