09/05/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS — Item 6 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 6 Date: Council Work Session, September 5, 2007 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala Re: Request to Subdivide Property /Ordinance Amendment Inquiry Background At the Open Mike portion of the August 13, 2007 Council meeting Mr. John DeHaven, requested city assistance in his attempt to secure a reverse mortgage on a 15 acre property located at 1612 Birch Street. Mr. DeHaven stated that the reverse mortgage option was only available to properties that are three acres or less in size. The council directed staff to review the issue and report at a future work session. This issue was previously before the City in 2004. At that time the property owners had requested approval of a minor subdivision requiring variances for both minimum lot area and lot width. The variance request was recommended by denial by the Planning & Zoning Board. The City Council denied the request on April 26, 2004. A copy of the P & Z minutes and Council minutes are attached to this report. Analysis. The property is currently guided Medium Density Residential within a Stage 2 growth area (2010 — 2020) by the City's Comprehensive Plan. The property lies outside of the City's Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). The property is zoned R, Rural. The minimum lot size within the Rural Zoning District is 10 acres. Additionally, the City's Zoning Ordinance, in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, requires that all unsewered lots, within any zoning district, be a minimum of 10 acres in size. The only exception to this requirement is where there exists a habitable single family home constructed prior to July 13, 1992. In this instance a minimum one acre lot size applies subject to several provisions of the ordinance. The 10 acre minimum lot requirement dates back to the City's 1990 Comprehensive Plan Amendment and the 1992 Zoning 1