6.8. SR 05-17-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Ptarmin§ Commission Page 6 Febraa.,"y 24, 2004 satisfied. He stated that they now have a qu~ builder and developer. He stated that his fanily desires a development that they can also be proud of. lie stated that his faraily and the golf course have done a lot of work to save the trees from Oak Wilt with minimal results and that it seems to be impossibl.e to save them. Steve Parker, 19530 Albany Circle, asked if they are to assume the rezoning will be approved to PUD and who in/dated the rezoring request. Chair Pederson stated that the applicant made the request after presenting several options to the Planning Commission. IvD. Parker stated that he felt the 60-foot wide lots were not appropriate for this area and would not be aesthetically pleasing. He asked what the front yard setbacks are for the PUD. Chair Pederson stated that the setback is 25 feet, and that it has been suggested to reduce the sethack to 15 -20 feet in order to preserve more trees in the backyards. Mr. Parker stated that he did not feel there would be adequate space to park a vehicle in a driveway without encroacbJ_ng into the boulevard. Mr. Parker expressed his objection to parking on only one side of dae street. He stated he was concerned that the property value of the homes in Nordic Woods and Nordic l-lills would be negatively impacted by d-ds development, and asked why the builder would be allowed to only build two-car garages rather than three-car ga.rages. Mr. liarlicker stated that there is no requirement in the city's ordinance to have a more than a one-car garage. Mr. Parker expressed his objection to having the municipal utilities vehides coming down his street, and felt they should continue to use the City trail. He asked what would happen to the drainage in the area. Mr. Harticker stated some of the existing drainage areas would be leveled, new areas created, and that the drainage from this development w{ll be maintained on this property and no increase in off-site drainage will be allowed. Peter Neises, 12879 195th Avenue, expressed his concern for safety with the number of homes, narrow streets, and reduced setbacks, lie asked why the developer chose to do this many homes and if the reason was finanda!ly ck-iven. Chair Pederson stated that he would have to ask the developer and that the Planning Corrmaission does not look at the financial aspects of the development. Denise Lanthier, 19533 Albany Street, expressed concern for the elimination of the trees, spread of Oak Wilt, and the environmental impact on the area. She asked if the city had a tree preservation ordinance. Chair Pederson stated no, but that a draft was presented to the City Council but was not approved due to lack of funding for staff to enforce the ordinance. Ms. Lanthier also expressed her concern for impact of the new development on the'schools. She asked that the Planning Commission consider allowing fewer lots and requiring more open space for this development. Ms. Lanthier also expressed her concerns regarding traffic and decreased property values in the neighborhood. Mike Niziolek, 12275 Rush Circle, Park and Recreation Commissioner, stated that he felt it would be in the City's best interest to preserve as much of the forest adjacent to the City tr~ as possible. He explained that in the 1900's, the Department of Natural Resources identified th_is area as being naturally significant and is now one of few left in Elk Pdver. lie stated that r_bjs may be one of the city's last chances to preserve an area of the remaining forest. Mr. Niziolek stated that he felt the City's n-mil corridor will be one of the City's most prized amenities in the future, espedally if the remai_n~g forest adjacent to the trail can be preserved. John Kuester, 19834 York Street, Park and Recreation Commissioner, asked if the buffer is being measured from the edge of the trail or from the right of way. Mr. Harticker stated d~at the buffer is shown as 190 feet from the edge of dae trail to back of the homes