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<br /> <br />Planning Commission Minutes <br />March 25, 2025 <br />--------- <br />Page 5 of 9 <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton explained the trail would be for public access and the area also includes stormwater basins, <br />which would be platted as outlots and managed by the city. Mr. Carlton stated the monotony code is <br />not part of the city code but rather provides the Planning Commission with the ability to ensure a level <br />of variety in home style of both color and facade, and has also been proposed in other housing <br />developments. <br /> <br />Matt Barker of Capstone Homes outlined the few changes since they met at the January Planning <br />Commission meeting and concerns with a few conditions recommended for approval. <br /> <br />Commissioner Booth asked for clarification of Capstone's monotony code, and Mr. Carlton asked Mr. <br />Barker what Capstone's required difference was in the monotony code for four homes. Can you repeat <br />the facade and the color has to be different? <br /> <br />Mr. Barker stated every other house could be the same, the facade could be the same but the color <br />would have to be different. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson stated they could increase the monotony code to 8 to ensure that there was no <br />duplicating of facade or color. Mr. Barker stated that could be very complex. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton stated staff track these homes internally when building permits are pulled. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bland asked what the driver was for the 50’ lot other than market demand. <br />Commissioner Bland stated townhomes are supported in the zoning, but to clarify, they aren't building <br />townhomes. <br /> <br />Mr. Barker stated that the Liberty home is a very affordable, 30-foot home. He stated they work to <br />make this be the best value home for the current market and is a better product than a townhome in <br />the current market. Mr. Barker confirmed no townhomes were being built, and the Liberty homes are <br />denser than a townhome. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson asked if the Liberty homes offer a 3-car garage or only 2, and asked which other <br />developments have 40’ lots. <br /> <br />Mr. Barker stated only a 2-car garage, but they do meet the city's size code at 22x20 feet in size. Mr. <br />Barker stated Otsego has 45’ villa lots, and St. Michael has both 40’ and 50’ products. <br /> <br />Commissioner Rydberg asked about the future frontage road, highway access, and how many of these <br />homes will be built before MnDOT gets the highway changed, as he is concerned with public safety and <br />traffic. <br /> <br />Mr. Barker stated he was going to the state capitol with city engineer Justin Femrite the following week <br />to address access improvements and project timeline. He stated this development will be an 8-year <br />project, and MnDOT cannot confirm a timeline for road improvements. MnDOT has provided some <br />parameters that Capstone can use to receive a temporary permit to begin construction. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlton stated when every plat comes through, staff and local agencies review the existing <br />infrastructure. The first phase of construction may be issued, but with the city and MnDOT determining <br />the best solution to support the increase in traffic, and as the development continues, access DRAFTPage 6 of 34