Minutes - Planning Commission - 05/04/2006

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Further discussion: Commissioner Bmuer expressed concern that the plat is not acceptable with the long cul-de-sac. Motion failed 2-4. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt and Commissioners Hunt. Voting No: Commissioners Brauer, Cleveland, Levine, and Trites Rolle. Absent: Commissioner Van Scoy. Motion by Commissioner Levine, seconded by Commissioner Cleveland, to recommend that the City Council deny the preliminary plat for Ebony Addition based on the cul-de-sac length. Motion carried 4-2. Voting Yes: Commissioners Levine, Cleveland, Brauer, and Trites Rolle. Voting No: Chairperson Nixt and Commissioner Hunt. Absent: Commissioner Van Scoy. Further discussion: Commissioner Brauer stated there are four issues to address as discussions move forward regarding the cluster ordinance. · The developer brought up a good point in terms of the amount of money that is laid out on the sewer requirements. The City is essentially asking the developer to lay out a fairly large amount of money for the sewer before they ever get a project approved. He questioned if this might slow down development in the City to the extent that developers determine it is not worth putting money into all of these issues and then finding out they cannot develop their land. · The cluster ordinance does not address the issue of what happens if the septic system breaks down and contaminates wells in surrounding residences, and who will pick up that tab. · The issue of gross density versus net density in terms of how it is calculated and what is clusterable. If someone comes in with property that is 2/3 wetland and only a piece of it can be developed there is the question of whether the wetland area will be counted, allowing maximum development in that area. · The number of applications that may come in with only one access in rural areas and a problem linking up to secondary roads. As the Fire Chief indicated the second access is almost as important as the cul-de-sac length. Commissioner Brauer noted Maple Grove has an ordinance for their developing areas of the City that uses a points-based system to look at development applications within that area. It provides a certain number of points for issues such as linking up to existing developments and open space. It provides more flexibility in terms of being able to deal with developers and gives the developers a more definable list of what to meet. He suggested Ramsey review this ordinance. Case 112: Request for Sketch Plan Review of Kuzko Addition; Case of Alex Kuzko Associate Planner Dalnes stated Alex Kuzko is applying for a minor subdivision to split the cmrent lot, and create one additional buildable lot at the property located at 13720 Ebony Street. The subject property is zoned R-1 MUSA and lies within the Critical Overlay District for the Mississippi River. The proposed lot will be 25,000 square feet in size and 100 feet in width, which exceeds the minimum lot size of 12,150 square feet, and conforms to the minimum lot width of 90 feet. Access to the proposed lot will be gained from Ebony Street. The new lot will Planning Commission/May 4, 2006 Page 5 of 15