10/02/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 1) Staff is of the opinion that there needs to be a consensus of support from the council before proceeding. There is no apparent reason to commence with the review process, expend dollars from the development team, or waste city personnel time and citizen time if there is no legitimate interest in approving a plan of this scope. However, the concept plan should be viewed simply for what it is — a concept. If it is the councils intent to pursue evaluation of the project through the comp plan update process than it would be in the best interests of the city to allow that process and the environmental review process to determine the final "concept ". There are too many unknowns at this stage in the process to determine what is right and what is wrong for the specific site. Questions of density, housing units, percentage of open space should be addressed as part of the process in relation to other needs within the City. Staff would rather establish a broad design framework for the project area that serves as the base checklist for the project evaluation. This framework would include the following: 1. The project is designed in accordance with Conservation Development principles. 2. Low Impact Design (LID) Best Management Practices be used to the extent possible for surface water management. 3. That the project be designed consistent with the Resource Management Plan (RMP) being prepared collaboratively with the Rice Creek Watershed District and the City. 4. The development promotes walkability. 5. The development provides a variety of housing types. 6. The development establish high standards for architecture. 7. That the development is connected by natural corridors and trails. 8. That the development addresses transportation and utility infrastructure needs. 9. That the development include a centralized community area as well as specialized activity nodes in the form of squares, greens, parks in the various neighborhoods created. 2) If the Council chooses to proceed, the Environmental Review process can begin immediately. The timeline for completion requested by the developer generally conforms to our Comp Plan timeline. While we cannot guarantee completion by May 31, 2007 it is reasonable to assume completion by that date. 3) The developer has noted their request to complete the plan update by October 30, 2007. They have also acknowledged that if not completed by that date they may proceed to submit a separate Comprehensive Plan Amendment application. The City's Comp Plan Update anticipates completion and approval of the draft plan in July 2007. State law requires municipalities to submit comp plan updates to adjacent governmental units and school districts for review and comment. The City must 5