Agenda - Council - 02/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Frank Becker, 15921 Ebony Street NW, asked if lot sizes would be changed by sewer and water coming to any part of this rural developing area. • Chairperson Nixt replied someone would not bring sewer and water to an area unless they can recoup the dollars spent to get it there; however, in reality it would change the density. Mr. Becker pointed out people could benefit from sewer and water passing through a MUSA area, which could change the lot sizes. Chairperson Nixt replied the density would need to increase to make it feasible, and there is nothing in code now that provides for that. The landowner would apply for a zoning amendment and Comprehensive Plan amendment as a condition of getting the MUSA. Mr. Becker explained his concern is not so much with applying for sewer and water, it is in reference to it passing through the area. Whether it is a result of something a landowner initiated or by a development, having it pass through provides an opportunity to connect to it. He lives on a 1 acre lot, but lives on %2 of that so that if sewer and water were to come through he could sell off the other half of his lot to offset the cost of hooking up to sewer and water. He does not want that ability to change. Chairperson Nixt commented whether that is practical would depend on whether Mr. Becker could convince someone to bring the MUSA into his neighborhood, which is beyond what is ` being contemplated tonight. Mr. Tim Curran, 17640 Eaton Street NW, stated he hopes cluster developments are eliminated. • It is a backdoor way to leave open for developers with enticement to bring in sewer and water. Irregardless of the lot sizes he would recommend eliminating cluster developments from the zoning. Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Van Scoy, to close the public hearing. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Van Scoy, Cleveland, Hunt, Levine, and Trites Rolle. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Brauer. The public hearing was closed at 9:34 p.m. Commission Business Chairperson Nixt called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission back to order at 9:34 p.m. Chairperson Nixt indicated staff is advocating 1 in 10/ 4 in 40. The cluster ordinance did not get the job done and he does not support keeping it alive, in its current format. He struggles with 2 1 /2 acre lots, although he has clients that have real estate in the south metro areas that are developing 2 1 /2 acre lots and having success marketing and selling those lots. His concern about. the 2 1 /2 acre lot size is that you still have to potentially emasculate the surrounding land to allow for the • Planning Commission /January 4, 2007 Page 24 of 35 —26—