Agenda - Council - 10/13/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. 1. CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 10/13/2026 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Title: "Rum River Retreat" — Preliminary Plat and Variance Request for 17400 and 17650 Erkium Street NW (Project No. 26-106); Case of Sundance Woods, LLC Purpose/Background: The City has received a Land Use Application from Sundance Woods, LLC (the "Applicant") for a fifteen (15) lot, single family rural residential subdivision of the properties known as 17400 & 17650 Erkium Street NW (together, the "Subject Property"). The application also includes a request for a variance to lot depth for two of the proposed lots. The proposed subdivision is a Major Plat, which includes three (3) phases: Sketch Plan, Preliminary Plat, and Final Plat. The Planning Commission previously reviewed the Sketch Plan at their April 23, 2026. The Planning Commission conducted the Public Hearing for the Preliminary Plat and Variance at their August 27, 2026, meeting. The City Council reviewed the Preliminary Plat and Variance request at their September 8, 2026, meeting and tabled action to provide additional time to resolve an issue concerning retaining walls around the cul-de-sac bulb for Erkium Street. Staff and the Applicant have identified a solution that eliminates the need for any retaining wall(s) around this cul-de-sac bulb and thus, this case is being brought forward again for consideration of formal action on the Variance and Preliminary Plat. Notification: Public notification was mailed to property owners within 700 feet of the Subject Property of the Public Hearing that was held on August 27, 2026. A legal notice was also placed in the Anoka Union Herald Newspaper regarding that Public Hearing. Additionally, a "Proposed Development" sign was also placed on the Subject Property. No additional notification is required. The Planning Commission conducted a Public Hearing for the Variance and Preliminary Plat at their August 27, 2026, meeting. Multiple members of the public spoke at the meeting (draft meeting minutes are attached to the case), and the City also received two written comments regarding the project (also attached to the case). Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Proiect Overview The Subject Property is approximately 61 acres in size, which includes an area encumbered by a permanent road easement and dedicated right-of-way (the very southern end of the Erkium Street corridor). The Applicant is proposing to subdivide the Subject Property into fifteen (15) single-family residential lots (the existing home at 17400 Erkium Street will remain, so this subdivision will technically result in fourteen [14] new homes). The Subject Property is zoned Rural Residential (RR) and is guided as Rural Developing in the Comprehensive Plan. A portion of the Subject Property (all of 17400 Erkium Street NW) is also within the Scenic River Protection Overlay District. The proposed Tots within this overlay district are subject to not only the standards of the Rural Residential Zoning District, but also the standards of the overlay district. Bulk Standards The Rural Residential (RR) Zoning District requires a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres and a minimum lot width of 200 feet (100 feet if on the bulb of a cul-de-sac). The minimum required setbacks in the RR District are: Rural Residential District Setbacks Front 40 feet Side (Interior) 10 feet Side (to right-of-way) 40 feet Rear 40 feet However, since a portion of the Subject Property falls within the Scenic River Protection Overlay District (all of 17400 Erkium Street NW along the south side of the plat), those lots are subject to the more restrictive standards between the RR district and the overlay district. All lots within the overlay district shall have a minimum width of 300 feet at the building line (rather than the standard 200 feet per the zoning district) and at the Ordinary High Watermark (OHW) of the Rum River and Trott Brook. Riparian lots shall be at least four (4) acres in size (non -riparian lots shall be at least 2.5 acres in size). The