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Memo to City Council and Planning Commission Page 2 February 19, 1996 • What ordinances are in place controlling the growth of residential development? The intent of the ordinance for all property zoned residential within the urban service area is to have these areas developed as urban sized lots (10,000-14,000 square feet). What is not clearly stated in the ordinance is the minimum lot size if a property owner wanted to subdivide residential property prior to city water and sewer. As staff has stated in the past, under these conditions, the minimum lot size should be kept as large as possible (10 acres) to provide for the efficient extension of utilities at a later date. The second problem that currently exists is that the newly expanded urban service area between County Road 12/13 is zoned Rla. This zoning • designation allows a minimum lot size of 2-1/2 acres. Assuming this area will ultimately be developed with city water and sewer, the zoning and/or minimum lot size will have to be increased for the reasons stated above. In no way are these proposed increases in the minimum lot size suggesting - that no one can subdivide their property. This merely is an attempt to _ . - manage the subdivision of land and preserve the opportunities for either the - • city or landowner (developer) to extend utilities in an efficient manner. Why not allow commercial and industrial development to occur prior to having city water and sewer available? First of all, it is important to highlight the size and geographic area of the urban service boundary. If commercial and industrial development had no boundaries, there would be no management to this growth pattern. Development could occur in a scattered/random pattern throughout the entire urban service district. Secondly, it should be made clear that commercial and industrial development can occur without city water and sewer. This has happened along east Highway 10 for years. It is also happening along Highway 101 between Rogers and Elk River as well as though the City of Ramsey. However, this type of development can be different than what may be found in a sewer and water area. If development without water and sewer was to occur, several questions would need to be asked: • How difficult will it be for the city or landowners to extend utilities at a later date given the existing business that may be in place? • Why would property owners near the edge of the urban service district have any interest in developing with city water and sewer? • s:\council\gmp.doc