06/27/2001 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JUNE 27, 2001 Donlin explained the disparity for a 500 -unit development but allow for only 50 units/year. Trehus agreed that phasing was a major drawback. Donlin stated the City was using a 20,500 population cap, and the concern was the need to build new schools. She asked how they were to respond. Trehus stated that if the numbers were adjusted it would be 38 homes/year. Grochala stated that when the Comprehensive Plan was started the population was12,000, and there had been dramatic growth recently. The council will need to address this issue as the city begins working on the plan implementation. Chair Lanyon indicated that the caps were very important, but so were the rates. If the rates were too fast the Boards begin to lose their effectiveness. The Board wants to help staff to develop ordinances. Grochala responded that the ordinances would enforce the goals and with the Comprehensive Plan there was a consensus to build on. The Conservation Development Ordinance could be a first step. Trehus stated that the Comprehensive Plan was limited because the language creates no impetus to make it happen from the developers. Grochala answered that the availability of water and sewer would be on of the limiting factors for development Chair Lanyon asked now that the Comprehensive Plan was approved, would the City adhere to the numbers. Grochala answered that a policy decision would need to be made clarifying the 147 units per year versus the 2020 population. i'• Grundhofer pointed out that the new Subdivision Ordinance was not in place yet. Grochala agreed that a lot was dependent on the Metropolitan Council's approval. The majority of issues deal with housing density and `affordable housing. Chair Lanyon suggested having a priority list of.which ordinances to work on. Grochala added it may be practical for the board 'to work on components of ordinances. Kukonen expressed concern, over the expansion of the MUSA with the proposed growth scenario. He was hoping for a separationof MUSA and non-MUSA. Grochala responded that the cost effectiveress.of extending utilities to certain areas may provide for the limitation of growth in certain areas, and could encourage clustering and setting aside open spaces &' Kukonen indicated that two hot topics were MUSA expansion and Metropolitan Council. Chair Lanyon stated that the Comprehensive Plan had been passed, even though it was not exactly what the Board wanted. He pointed out to the Board that it can still affect the implementation of the Plan through ordinances. Trehus asked Grochala if he had seen the Environmental Handbook. The Handbook outlined the process, and would become the basis for the ordinances. He asked what would happen when the Handbook and Comprehensive Plan did not agree. 7