06-08-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES June 8, 2009 APPROVED 34 Michael Trehus, 675 Shadow Court, addressed the council. Mr. Trehus showed the council a '--r35 page from the citizen survey that indicates that the most serious issue in the city is too much 136 growth. In regard to community characteristics, the citizens said they like the characteristics of 137 the city the way it is. He suggested the visioning group that met after the survey(a smaller group 138 so really less representative of the whole city) recommended something like 30,000 in 2030 but, 139 through the process, that seemed to grow to 38,000. The city is currently mostly single-family 140 homes but the Plan is calling for 80 percent plus homes other than single family. This Plan has 141 some alarming numbers as far as density changes (upwards of six units per acre) and is a 142 complete departure from where the city is at now. The end result would be more than half other 143 than single family housing. Further thirty-one percent of all new housing would be in the value 144 range of$152,000 or less and would require government subsidy and development incentives. 145 This would mean investing staff hours and city funds to go out and bring in affordable housing. 146 Tax increment financing is included as an incentive to bring in affordable housing—that means 147 the projects pay less taxes and leaves the city at risk. The Plan calls for the reduction of city fees 148 and lowering city standards for projects to bring in affordable housing and to bring that housing 149 into all types of neighborhoods. He noted that while there are changes being made to the Plan, 150 the council is being asked to vote on it before those changes can actually be reviewed within the 151 Plan. 152 153 A resident of 815 Ash Street, addressed the council. He understands that public notice is 154 officially served by publication in the Quad Press, however, the people on the south side of Lino 155 Lakes, such as himself, do not receive that newspaper. He has received the city newsletter. He 56 questions if there is new zoning occurring as part of the Plan(along Ash Street)? X57 158 The mayor responded that he is surprised to hear of the delivery problem with the Quad Press; 159 he suggests that the resident contact the paper. 160 161 Community Development Grochala noted that the Quad Press is designated as the official 162 newspaper of the city and so notices are published there, as well as posted on the Web. 163 Regarding Ash Street, the Plan itself does not institute any zoning changes. The Plan does 164 include what is termed as guidance or what the city would plan for certain areas (land use 165 designation). Zoning would normally follow the land use guidance eventually as the city 166 implements the Plan. (A land use map was reviewed.) A majority of the land in that area would 167 be considered urban reserve, or planned for development post 2030. Long, long term it would be 168 low density residential. 169 170 The city's consultant to the project, Ciara Schlicting of Bonestroo, clarified that the 10,000 new 171 units mentioned would be cumulative not in addition to the approximate 6,000 existing units. 172 She also clarified that the 30% figure mentioned for affordable housing is established by the 173 Metropolitan Council and the city is required by state statute to guide enough land in the Plan to 174 accommodate that many units. 175 176 Community Development Director Grochala acknowledged that there has been much discussion 177 about affordable housing and he believes that there are differing opinions within the community 178 on that subject. There is interest in providing the opportunity for that housing. The Plan does 4