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Mayor Heineman noted that if they are turning a 30-acre lot into four larger lots, this would still <br />meet the character of the area. He said there are developments on the other side of Highway 47 <br />with a lot smaller lot sizes. <br />Planning Manager Larson stated the developments across Highway 47 are in different zoning <br />districts and were approved due to offsetting dedicated land given to the City for open space. He <br />said there is no give and take in this situation. <br />Mayor Heineman asked if the applicant had an interest in rezoning the property to a PUD. <br />Planning Manager Larson shared that there was a concept plan proposed a few years ago to run a <br />street through this area to several one -acre lots. He said this was not looked at favorably by Staff <br />as there was no offset of dedicated land, which would have gone against the spirit of the Rural <br />Residential zoning area. <br />Mr. O'Shaughnessy explained that there was no formal proposal at this time for the PUD. He said <br />he is not opposed to dedicating open space. <br />Planning Manager Larson suggested that the Council direct Staff to put together some provisions <br />for flag lots of large acreages in the Rural Residential area. <br />Councilmember Riley said he is not sure that, at this point, he would want to make a change to any <br />ordinances. <br />Councilmember Stewart agreed. <br />Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Peters, to table this item and direct <br />Staff to prepare a resolution overturning the Planning Commission's decision with specific <br />practical difficulties, under Finding B that the proposed narrow lot would be out of character with <br />other lots in the area, justifying the variance, and bring the resolution approving the variance back <br />at the October 14 meeting. <br />Further discussion: <br />Councilmember Specht shared that he believes this request fits with the spirit of the nearby lots, <br />and he is supportive of this variance. <br />Mayor Heineman noted that Staff and the Planning Commission did everything right in this <br />situation, and the appeals process is something that is in place to allow the Council to look at the <br />situation. He said this overturning is not indicative of Staff or the Planning Commission doing a <br />poor job. <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Riley, Peters, Buscher, Olson, <br />Specht, and Stewart. Voting No: None. <br />City Council / September 23, 2025 <br />Page 9 of 11 <br />