05/03/2005 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Hansmann said none of these steps amend the Comp Plan, which is necessary for any of this to move forward. Ms. Hansmann stated that she was surprised that most of the people seemed to prefer the more residential scenario. The differences between the commercial and residential plans weren’t great; they were both well-blended mix of uses. Ms. Kuschke asked what occurs if the mitigation plan is adopted, but the Comp Plan is not amended. Ms. Divine stated the Comp Plan amendment is necessary for any scenario that is not based on the Comp plan. The reason for the public AUAR process is to get the buy-in from residents before it goes to council. It is difficult to do large master planned development and limit the number of houses that can be built each year. Mr. Vacha stated the housing cap was a way of protecting the city from unknown impact on infrastructure and this process gives people more insight into what is needed before building occurs. Ms. Hansmann said development will give the city the wherewithal to get improvements done and the residential impact will affect Centerville more than most of Lino Lakes. Mr. Rymer said if this process starts stalling out, residents and EDAC need to make their opinions heard. Mr. Milbauer stated the Comp Plan needs to be adjusted as new strategies are adopted. It’s a fluid guide and the AUAR brings new information that can be overlaid on what was adopted. He stated that developers in Hugo are far exceeding 147 units/year. The Pratt development is a beautiful, high-end development, which pays taxes and funds cities and schools. Ms. Divine explained to new members that a recently approved Conservation Development ordinance was passed that allows developers to be exempt from the housing cap if they are willing to work with the city to preserve and maintain valuable open space that has been designated in the city’s parks, trails and open space plan. Ms. Schwartz pointed out that the 147-unit cap actually allows conservation development by providing an incentive that wouldn’t be there without the cap. So if the city gets rid of the cap, what happens to conservation development? Mr. Milbauer asked if it might encourage developers to develop environmentally sensitive areas. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Ms. Divine informed new members that the city has been focused on transportation improvements, especially the two interchanges. The city, Anoka County and MnDOT have been working on federal appropriations. She explained that Woods Edge is providing $2.4 million toward Lake Drive, which the city is hoping to leverage into bridge reconstruction. Mr. Rymer stated he attended a meeting on transportation and the competition for funds is huge. WOODS EDGE Ms. Divine stated improvements will begin this spring. Town & Country Homes is building the townhomes. Staff has been working with Hartford to get a layout that is acceptable. Members discussed the commercial potential for Woods Edge, and the need for rooftops to support commercial business.