Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/28/2023

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COR and towards Highway 10. He recognized that the Council has question as to whether allow more apartments in the COR, but that was the intention in order to allow flexibility to have larger lots in more rural areas. Senior Planner Anderson commented that there was a recommendation of approval for the zoning changes from the Planning Commission. Commissioner Van Scoy commented that in the past there has been density transitioning. Senior Planner Anderson referenced some previous developments that required density transitioning, noting that those developments abutted property that was guided as rural developing, whereas this property is not guided in that same manner. Commissioner Gengler commented that this is exactly the place for smaller lots as it is adjacent to an elementary school where young families would want to have their starter home and near another low -density MUSA development, therefore this seems to be a good location for this type of development. She acknowledged that the City loves 80-foot lots, but not everyone is looking for that product and this would offer families more options. She also recognized that there is a need to get density to a certain level. She noted that perhaps some larger lots could be put on the exterior of the property with smaller lots interior. Commissioner Peters asked if there was action from City Council to put a moratorium on City owned land in the COR for the purpose of high -density housing in the last year. Senior Planner Anderson replied that has existed for more than one year that the City would not sell City owned land for apartments or high -density residential development. Commissioner Peters asked and received confirmation that there has been interest from developers for that purpose in the COR. Planning Manager Larson commented that some proposals have come forward through the EDA and to the Council for townhomes and apartment complex concepts that will soon come before the Planning Commission. Commissioner Peters asked if those developments would bring up the units per acre average to allow 80-foot lots on this parcel. Planning Manager Larson replied that those developments would help the average, but he was unsure if that would allow 80-foot lots on this parcel. He explained that the zoning code exercise was so important because of the conflicts that exist between the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning code. He noted that there is a conflict in that there is no physical way the development could meet the current regulations in terms of width and density. Commissioner Peters asked if there would legal or other dangers in not following the Comprehensive Plan. Planning Commission/ September 28, 2023 Page 11 of 14