05-26-2021 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 269 2021 Mr. Weber stated there had been Council agreement at the last workshop to go back to the pre- 2008 smaller square footage lot requirements. Fischer stated his concerns are for the redeveloped properties, and how the updated Zoning Code could affect existing neighbors. He stated that someone buying a house in a new development area will know exactly where the neighbor's house is, but it is the infill homes that he is concerned about. Keis stated that smaller lots sizes should not affect things since the setback requirements are not changing much. 2. Minimum lot width for detached houses in the R-1 and R-2 districts: Should the minimum lot width for a new detached house in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts be reduced? The R-1 district was a minimum of 75 feet wide until 2008 when it was increased to 85 feet. The minimum lot width in the R-2 district is 75 feet. Fischer stated he would like to see the rationale of the Council from 2008 and why they amended the lot size minimums before he agrees to this change. 3. Two-family dwellings in the R-1 zoning district The updated code would allow two-family dwellings as Conditional Uses on corner lots in the R-1 district. The minimum lot size for an R-1 corner lot is 11,000 square feet. The building would have to be judged to be architecturally compatible with others in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Weber reported that the Council seemed agreeable to allowing a two-family home on corner lots, but he suggested also allowing them on interior lots, possibly as a conditional use. He stated that there would be few locations this would be feasible, and would likely need to be a situation where a single-family home is demolished. Fischer stated that since there would not be many options to build a duplex, then maybe we should not consider allowing it. Fischer stated there seemed to be agreement for a duplex on a corner lot so that should be decided. Keis stated he is fine with a duplex on a corner lot, McGraw is generally not supportive but is willing to consider it, and Torkelson supports it. Fischer stated that the zoning code update started with simple cleaning it up and unweaving the complicated things, and now it has turned into a lot of changes and he is concerned. McGraw stated that he would like to just concentrate on cleaning up the commercial districts. Torkelson agreed. Mr. Weber explained that Rice Street is where the potential is for some change. He stated he is proposing to create a new zoning district along Rice Street and some of Little Canada Road that is west of I-35E, called "Corridor Mixed Use" that would allow retail, office and high -density housing. Torkelson stated that he would prefer the Terrace Heights Manufactured Home Park be designated as Corridor Mixed Use rather than just retail. Mr. Weber explained that the Comprehensive Plan states that the manufactured home parks should be protected as much as they want to be in order to save this affordable housing. 2