10/02/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• One advantage to working with the development team is that the comprehensive plan update process can evaluate a "real life" development scenario. Secondly, a project of this scope would be required to go through an Environmental Review Process. By conducting the Environmental Review process during the comprehensive plan update the City would receive a higher level of assessment than what would otherwise be available. The environmental review process would most likely be in the form of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR), at the developers' expense. The development team is very receptive to participating in the City's Comprehensive Plan Update process. They have also expressed their willingness to have the City prepare an AUAR for the project area, at their cost. The estimated cost of the AUAR, prepared by DSU, is approximately $251,000. The development team is prepared to move forward with the project but, understandably, due to obligations to the property owner, and the significant upfront expense related to planning the site, they would like to reach a level of understanding with the City Council. If the City is interested in moving forward with the proposal they would request the following consideration by the City Council: 1. A consensus of support for the concept plan and indication of areas of concern. 2. Authorization of the Environmental Review process and for the process to be completed by May 31, 2007 3. Understanding by the council that if the Comprehensive Plan Update is not completed by October 30, 2007 they may decide to submit a separate application to amend the current comp plan. 4. That upon completion of the Environmental Review Process the City would allow the developer to proceed with a Preliminary Plat Application and Rezoning Application with the understanding that any approvals granted would be conditioned upon approval of the comp plan update or an amendment to the comp plan. For the developer to obtain the necessary approvals in order to close on the property in accordance with its agreements with the sellers, the developer has informed staff that it must commence the preliminary plat process by November 1, 2007. The developer has asked for feedback from the council as to whether the council believes this is realistic. STAFF OPINION As the Council has previously discussed there are significant advantages to master planning. However these advantages must be balanced with the community attitudes toward growth within the City. From this perspective there does not appear to be a better opportunity to address this balancing act than by reviewing the project development as part of the Comp Plan update. In response to the developers request staff has the following comments: 4