03-23-2022 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA MARCH 23, 2022 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 23rd day of March, 2022 in the Council Chambers of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor John Keis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Keis, Council Members Fischer, Torkelson, McGraw and Miller. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Public Works Director Bill Dircks, Parks & Rec/Community Services Director Bryce Shearen, Community Development Director Corrin Wendell, Melissa Duce with Lennar Corporation, and Bob Barth with WSB. DISCUSSION A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ON COUNTY ROAD D The City Administrator explained that the property being considered for development has been used for truck farming, and the owner is ready to sell. He explained that the north end of this site had been considered for commercial and industrial development, but there is not a high demand for that use, so the new Comprehensive Plan re -guided the site for higher density residential use. He stated that Lennar Corporation entered into a purchase agreement with property owner Don Heinel, and they were later able to secure two more adjacent parcels on Desoto Street. He stated that city staff has been working with Lennar staff on a proposed townhome development. The Community Development Director explained that the new 2040 Comprehensive Plan, this area is guided for medium and high density residential. She stated that the Zoning Code defines medium density as four to eight units per acre, and high density is more than eight units per acre. She noted there will be a neighborhood meeting held tomorrow night at Little Canada Elementary School from 5:00-6:OOpm for anyone to attend and ask questions. Melissa Duce, with Lennar Corporation, explained that the gross area for this site is 19.7 acres, which includes the powerline easement area which is 4.6 acres. She stated that current plan is for 184 townhome units which is at a density level of 9.3 units per acre. She noted that since they are on the cusp of medium and high density, she is asking the Council for direction on the density level they should be at. She reviewed the two styles of townhomes that are planned, a row -house style and a back-to-back style. Keis noted that both types of homes shown are 2-story so seniors would be left out. Ms. Duce stated that this price point and styles are the popular type of products for first-time homebuyers and young families since they are three bedrooms. She noted that Lennar does build a villa one - level product, but it is a less dense product so they would not get to the density level that the Comprehensive Plan has this area guided for. She stated they took the direction for higher