Minutes - Council - 01/23/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Elvig stated he has been opposed to 1 in 10 all along. He is sensitive to the fact that they are trying to preserve this until they can plan with the Comprehensive Plan. He appreciates the Ramsey process where citizens will be able to truly embark on this. The Council is trying to portray an honest, equitable approach to the citizens. When they take it from 2 Yz acres to 10 acres to put a stall on this it really sends the wrong message. If anything, they should put some realistic expectations in place and try to work with any projects that come in. Most likely there will not be a lot of 2 Yz acre projects in the next year to two. He wants to be certain that people see this Council wants them to have input. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Look, to introduce an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 (Zoning and Subdivision of Land) of the Ramsey City Code to amend development standards in the R-l Residential District to revert to 2.5-acre lot requirements. Further discussion: Mayor Gamec observed there is difficulty with subdivision in 2-Yz acre lots. Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated there will certainly be some development that comes forward. The current market will probably limit things, but he is not certain the market is the same for acreage lots as for urban single family lots. If there are development applications they will have to go through the process and it will need to be ensured that they are designed properly. A lot will depend on where the land is located and what it is adjacent to. One thing that has been discussed is what can be put into the 2-Yz acre standards to allow as much flexibility as possible in relation to greenway corridors, future road corridors, and a re- subdivision plan. This is something they have had on the books for a long time; these have been more token plans of how the land possibly could be laid out that have not been approved and could come forward in the future with something different. One of the bigger issues with 2-Yz acre lots is making a connection to an adjacent property in the future. This will have to be dealt with as it comes forward. He would suggest discussing the performance standards tonight or that Council provide suggestions to be discussed further at a work session. The important timeline issue would be to adopt a Comprehensive Plan amendment if they want to consider going to 4 in 40 or a 10 acre minimum. This involves triggers at Metropolitan Council that take time. If the 2-Yz acre lot size is Council's decision there is not a need for a Comprehensive Plan amendment, which buys more time to come back with something for Council to consider. Mr. Trudgeon advised if Council will be voting in support of the 2-Yz acre lot size there needs to be a motion to deny the Comprehensive Plan amendment. Mayor Gamec requested clarification regarding lot sizes in the Rural Reserve area. Mr. Trudgeon indicated lot sizes in the Rural Reserve area will not change; they will remain 4 in 40. Councilmember Strommen expressed her support in discussing performance standards. She observed there has been good precedence set for some ideas in the interim policy adopted for Comprehensive Plan amendments relating to issues such as future greenway corridors, future transportation corridors, and natural resources on the site. Those are the three that likely apply the most and she would like to have them incorporated in performance standards. Councilmember Elvig inquired about the ability for land banking or preserving environmental right-of-way. He observed one of the benefits of the cluster ordinance is to bank land to put to areas with better resources. Councilmember Strommen indicated the idea would be to identify within the re-subdivision how the land would be preserved; this would be a give and take with the landowner. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised City Council / January 23, 2007 Page 13 of 28