09-13-07 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 through the adjacent properties as the property owner or developer would determine most feasible. Duray asked about the wetland delineation process. Soby reported that he has a letter from the Watershed District accepting the final wetland delineation that was done for the Richie property. He also noted that the Watershed has reviewed the proposed plat and finds it acceptable. Helmeke stated that he was concerned about just how temporary the cul-de- sac would be, and would like the opinion of the City Attorney on the two conflicting clauses that the City Planner mentioned. Helmeke stated that is question is whether the cul-de-sac is in fact temporary negating the need for a variance. Knudsen noted that the development of this property is not an easy undertaking, and the City cannot consider the development of this parcel in isolation from the entire area. Knudsen pointed out that proposed development is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. There is concern with wetland issues for the area, and the City has asked the developer to do his due diligence on this issue. It appears that that has been done and that the Watershed has approved the wetland delineation that was done and the development itself. Knudsen indicated that he was not sure of the State Water Conservation Board's role in this process. Knudsen asked about the issue of a thoroughfare plan for the area. The City Planner reported that the purpose of establishing a thoroughfare plan is to identify where a future road would go so that when properties are subdivided a thoroughfare plan for an area can be followed. A thoroughfare plan helps ensure that properties are not landlocked and access is provided for the entire area. Council had considered thoroughfare plans for five or six locations in the City, this area included. The Planner stated that the difficulty in establishing a thoroughfare plan is that the City is working with limited information when dealing with secondary issues such as wetland delineations. The Planner noted that the thoroughfare plan was not a popular idea for this LaBore Road area, and the main difficulty was the limited secondary information. Knudsen asked about the suggestion that an archeological evaluation be made of the area. The City Planner indicated that there are two ways to address that issue. One would be to hire consultants that specialize in that type of evaluation. The other would be to do some research with the State Historical Society. The Planner noted that for projects of 201ots or more, EAWs are required which also provide archeological information. Knudsen noted the mention for the potential of litigation if a variance is not processed for a longer than 500 foot cul-de-sac. Knudsen noted that the -13-