05-11-2022 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 119 2022 years. which is something that they are looking at. She explained the charts showing the Enterprise Funds (water and sewer funds' operating income, and 'fab re debt service. She noted the City has no debt levy which means that debt payments are supported by utility income rather than the taxpayers. She reviewed the financial results and the various funds, revenues, and expenditures, and compared the last few years. She showed how Little Canada compares to other cities and the state average in property tax levels. PUBLIC HEARING — CONSIDER A PRELIMINARY PLAT .FOR A LENNAR TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENT; APPLICANT U.S. HOME, LLC The Community Development Director reported that the city has received a major subdivision application for approval of a Preliminary Plat from U.S. Home, LLC, Lennar, to construct a 178-unit townhome community. She reported this development is proposed on 17 acres of land owned by the Heinel family that have been used for farming, along with 2.6 acres of adjacent residential parcels on Desoto Street. She explained that Lennar plans to construct a mix of row townhomes and back-to-back townhomes to achieve an overall R-2 medium density zoning in accordance with future land use designations in the Comprehensive Plan. She stated the site is 19.77 gross acres and the density will be approximately 9-units per acre. She noted the entire site includes 4.6 acres of overhead powerline easement area that will be used for stormwater ponds and green space with a trail. The Community Development Director gave an overview of the proposed development and reviewed how Vanderbie Street is planned to be extended north to connect with County Road D, and another internal street will also connect to County Road D. Keis stated that one of the things talked about at the neighborhood meeting was how to drive traffic north to County Road D. He noted the second road only connects a small part of the development on the north end to County Road D, and he feels this road should go farther down into the development. Melissa Duce, Lennar, explained that they looked at extending Desoto, but it decreased the number of units too much. Keis asked if they have another option. Ms. Duce stated they do not have another option at this point. Torkelson asked if the stormwater pond could be split so one of the internal streets could go all the way through to the north. Ms. Duce stated they could evaluate this. McGraw stated that when they talked about increasing density in this area, it was with the understanding of having another outlet to County Road D. Keis stated there is a second connection to County Road D, but it needs to reach further south into the development. The City Administrator reported that the second access on to County Road D has not been approved by Ramsey County and staff has been told not to assume that it will be granted. Robert Rudolph, 525 Allen Avenue, concerned about the density, impact of traffic and the financial impact on adjacent properties. He feels the density is not being stated correctly and is actually 12 units per acre. He would like the road in the development to be a "U" and not allow traffic to come down onto Vanderbie Street at all. He does not think there is a need for a sidewalk. Bryan Norris, 2925 Vanderbie Street, stated that Vanderbie Street has been a very quiet street, and he is mainly concerned about the traffic that will be coming down Vanderbie, and would rather not have the traffic coming down Vanderbie at all. 2