6.1. SR 05-01-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Elk River REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Section Meeting Date Plannin Ma 1, 2006 Item Description Request by Jason Huber for Preliminary Plat Approval of Carverwood Hills, Public Hearin - Case No. P 06-01 Item Number 6.1. Prepared by Scott Clark, Communi Dev. Director Reviewed by Introduction On April 17, 2006 the City Council reviewed and continued this item until the May 1, 2006 City Council meeting. The concern by some Council members was the extension of the "4 lots for 40 acre" zoning provision and allowing the applicant to have a "5 for 50" (the past Council Action Request and supporting information is attached). The City Attorney has submitted a written opinion on this subject stating that the extension of additional lots based on ten acre units is a correct interpretation of the Ordinance. (Attached) Discussion From a planning standpoint the concept of allowing "smaller" lots, in this case allowing the 53 acre Carverwood subdivision to have four 2.5 acre minimum lots with a large 41 acre parent parcel, is logical. The parent parcel will be further subdivided at the time (2008) when the zoning minimum changes from 10 acres to 2.5 acre lots. It is important to note that the density over the entire 53 acre remains at one lot per ten acres; it is only the lot configuration that changes with the "4 for 40" concept. Following a strict ten acre zoning interpretation would lead to severe planning inefficiencies such as 1) an inordinately long cul-de-sac and 2) not properly placing new homes on the ten acre sites could severely affect future subdivision of the property. A large parent parcel allows for maximum design flexibility for future platting. Staff has attached an illustration comparing the proposed "5 for 50" Carverwood design with having to create it as a ten acre subdivision. In the past the City has favorably interpreted the extension of the "4 for 40" rule and allowed the type of development being proposed (e.g. Ridgewood Hills and Kingdom Estates). Financial Impact None Attachments . City Attorney opinion . Past Council Action Request and supporting information . Carverwood illustration showing ten acre layout Action Requested The Planning Commission and staff recommend that the City Council approve the preliminary plat based on the fmdings of Section 30-375 and with the following conditions: S:\Community Development\Scott Clark\Carverwood.doc