Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/01/2007

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then that may be where they invest their infrastructure and resources to beef up the performance standards in relation to access, safety issues and traffic. Commissioner Levine observed a lot of people have been planning around the 2 ~ acres; to change that now does not seem right and could be very counter productive in the long run. Chairperson Nixt stated he questions whether much will be gained with the 4 in 40, and whether the immediate concerns could be addressed through an increase in performance standards related to infrastructure and traffic issues. He noted there are some areas of the rural developing area that will be more conducive to 2 ~ acre developments than others. Clustering is not working. Commissioner Trites Rolle commented for clustering to work they would need to look at places where it is successful, and it would need to be discussed through the Comprehensive Plan process in great detail. Commissioner VanScoy noted a lot of people have talked about looking at individual pieces of land, and the PUD is a way of dealing with that. He agrees that they need to focus on stronger standards and better planning with 2 ~ acre lots. That would be more effective than 1 in 10, which is an extreme response to the issue. Commissioner Levine concurred. Chairperson Nixt stressed that all housing types need to be made available in the City, including townhouses, single family within the MUSA, and 2 ~ acre. This will enhance the community. Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner VanScoy, to recommend denial of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners VanScoy, Cleveland, Hunt, Levine, and Trites Rolle. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Brauer. Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Trites Rolle, to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 (Zoning and Subdivision of Land) of the Ramsey City Code to eliminate the performance standards applicable to the cluster ordinance and to modify the ordinance as necessary to provide for a minimum of 1 house per 2 ~ acres in the Rural Developing Area. Further discussion: Commissioner VanScoy suggested the motion include a recommendation for a ghost platting requirement for future development. Chairperson Nixt indicated he would like to deal with the ghost platting as a separate item. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Trites Rolle, Cleveland, Hunt, Levine, and Van Scoy. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Brauer. Planning Commission/January 4, 2007 Page 27 of 36 P27