09/26/1979 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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57 Page 5 Planning and Zoning Commission September 26, 1979 older subdivisions. The rural areas referred to parts of the city that had not developed, and consisted of three basic geographical locations. The northeast corner of the city and the area around Rondeau Lake; the northwest corner (sod farms); and a large piece, generally lowland, in the south central part of the City. Mr. Short suggested development be encouraged in the rural residential areas, and discouraged outside of those areas, using minimum lot sizes or densities. By increasing the minimum lot size in rural areas, it would become more desirable and economically feasible to develop in the rural residential areas. Development should be encouraged in the areas where the City had already made committments in terms of services ---road maintenance, police and fire --so as to utilize these more efficiently, rather than extending these into undeveloped parts of the city. Mr. Short and Mr. Locke had researched the question of minimum lot sizes and had drawn up a map of subregional lot size influences, illustrating what was happening with mimimum lot sizes in adjacent communities. Each of these cities had been contacted for the most current information on minimum lot sizes and how these were developing. The City of Blaine had sewer with the exception of the northeast corner. In this area they required a minimum lot size of 5 acres, and were proposing increasing that to :10 or 20 acres to discourage development. Hamm Lake had no sewer presently and wouldn't until after the year 2,000. They had a 21 acre minimum lot size, which was currently being reviewed,and for which there seemed to be a large demand. Andover had a 22 acre minimum lot size in all but a few areas. They had a sewer service area within which were areas with 22 acre lots without sewer service; they hadcut up their sewer service area by allowing 21 acre lots, which were im- practical to serve with sewer in the future. Columbus township had no sewers, and a 5 acre minimum lot size, but were considering increasing that. Their 5-acre lot size was connected with meets and bounds, and also their platting was tied into this. They were getting some 5-acre subdivisions and some larger as well, but not much growth. Forest Lake Township had no sewer, and had a fairly complicated proposed zoning district map with areas of 5, 10, and 20 acre minimum lot sizes. Presently the areas closest to Lino Lakes were zoned at a 22 acre lot size, but would be increased to either 5 or 10 acres. Hugo also had a fairly complicated new zoning district map, and in the areas adjoining Lima Lakes they were requiring either 10 or 20 acre minimum lot sizes; the 20-acre zone was conservation land, and the 10-acre was agricultural. In reference to road requirements, Mr. Short indicated that Hamm Lake in their 22 acre subdivisions required hard -surfaced streets, but other than that he did not know. He felt that the information on the adjacent communities would provide a basis on which to make a decision as to whether the 21 acre minimum lot size, which was the consensus at the last meeting, would encourage or discourage development. He felt he obvious conclusion would be what Hamm Lake was experiencing, which was a fairly significant development at 22' acres. He recommended the City go to a 5 or 10 acre minimum lot size. Mr. McLean suggested a 5 acre minimum lot size for the northwest and northeast corners of the city, the rationale being the bordercommunities having activity and the improbability of sewer in that area, and a minimum lot size of 22 acres in the south central part of the city, as it was possible this would be sewered at some time in the future.