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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS INC. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br />DATE: <br />RE: <br />FILE N0: <br />Little Canada Mayor and City Council <br />Little Canada Planning Commission <br />JUL 5 <br />CITY OF <br />David Licht LITTLE CANADA <br />3 July 1984 <br />Little Canada Zoning Ordinance Revision - Twin <br />Homes - R -2 District <br />758.09 <br />As part of the Planning Commission's, as well as City Council's discussion <br />of duplexes in the R -1 district relative tothe 1 in 10 matter, I raised <br />the concern of duplex lot sizes in the R -2 district. This matter was, <br />however, never specifically addressed and Mrs. Nardini has directed me <br />to formally raise the question once again. <br />The basic issue is that lot sizes for duplexes are the same as for single <br />family homes. The requirement is 10,000 square feet. This matter is seen <br />as questionable from several perspectives: <br />1. Density. The ordinance as presently structured suggests that a <br />doubling of density on a 10,000 square foot lot is acceptable. This <br />is not seen as in keeping with the intent of the Zoning Ordinance <br />or Comprehensive Plan with regard to population. It also allows a <br />building intensification per lot which is seen as possibly creating <br />a less open character for the R -2 area than a medium density area <br />might suggest. The ordinance as now structured basically has the same <br />square footage requirement for three townhouses as it does for two <br />units in a duplex. <br />2. Planning and Control. Under the present ordinance structure, if <br />the City approves 10,000 square foot lots within a R 2 district, <br />neither the City nor an adjoining property owner can be certain as <br />to whether a single or a twin home will be constructed. This tied <br />into the density consideration would make questionable the develop- <br />ment of single family homes within an R -2 district. Again, the <br />intent of the medium density R -2 district is suggestive of a mix <br />of dwelling unit types in order to achieve the density and character <br />of a transition between low and high density residential development. <br />4820 minnetonka boulevard, suite 420 minneapolis, mn 55416 612/925-9420 <br />