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SSR & W Minor Subdivision page 2 ANALYSIS The land use and zoning are shown in the following table. The comprehensive plan guides the site for low density sewered residential development. That is, the long -range plan for the site and much of its immediate area is to serve it with utilities to allow for residential development. It is in a stage 2 area, so utilities will not be available until after year 2010. There is a conceptual greenway indicated over much of the area. A greenway is an area that may be appropriate as protected open space because of environmental features. Greenways are conceptual because creating them is opportunity based: short of actually purchasing the land, the City must depend on the development proposals submitted. The long -range plan for a road in the area will, at the appropriate time, need to consider the potential for preserving a greenway. Zoning, Subdivision Requirements Lot Size: The site is zoned Rural, with a minimum lot size of 10 acres with a minimum of 20% upland. The proposal meets these requirements. Frontage: The City's subdivision ordinance requires all lots to have their full frontage on a publicly dedicated street (Sec. 1001.08 Subd. 6(1)). The intent is to prevent flag lots and provide for safe, efficient access and circulation within the City, including adequate police and fire department access. The need for access and circulation exists not only to a particular piece of property, but for surrounding property as well. In past discussions regarding this application, City staff suggested creating a partial road easement along the eastern edge of the property, including the one -acre strip leading to Main St. Under this option, the City would allow the two properties to use the easement but not open it to the public. Mr. Racutt rejected this option. Since then, staff has considered a wide variety of issues as part of writing a new subdivision ordinance and revising the zoning ordinance. Many of the issues relate to new development, easements, road dedications, and public safety issues. According to the City Attorney, the City is not obligated to open an easement to the public. Nor is it obligated to construct a road if it has a road easement. However, the Existing Land Use Map New Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map Zoning site Rural Low Dens. Sewered, post -2010 Rural north Rural Low Density Unsewered Rural east Rural Low Dens. Sewered, post -2010 Rural south Rural Low Density Unsewered Rural west Rural _ Low Dens. Sewered, post -2010 Rural The comprehensive plan guides the site for low density sewered residential development. That is, the long -range plan for the site and much of its immediate area is to serve it with utilities to allow for residential development. It is in a stage 2 area, so utilities will not be available until after year 2010. There is a conceptual greenway indicated over much of the area. A greenway is an area that may be appropriate as protected open space because of environmental features. Greenways are conceptual because creating them is opportunity based: short of actually purchasing the land, the City must depend on the development proposals submitted. The long -range plan for a road in the area will, at the appropriate time, need to consider the potential for preserving a greenway. Zoning, Subdivision Requirements Lot Size: The site is zoned Rural, with a minimum lot size of 10 acres with a minimum of 20% upland. The proposal meets these requirements. Frontage: The City's subdivision ordinance requires all lots to have their full frontage on a publicly dedicated street (Sec. 1001.08 Subd. 6(1)). The intent is to prevent flag lots and provide for safe, efficient access and circulation within the City, including adequate police and fire department access. The need for access and circulation exists not only to a particular piece of property, but for surrounding property as well. In past discussions regarding this application, City staff suggested creating a partial road easement along the eastern edge of the property, including the one -acre strip leading to Main St. Under this option, the City would allow the two properties to use the easement but not open it to the public. Mr. Racutt rejected this option. Since then, staff has considered a wide variety of issues as part of writing a new subdivision ordinance and revising the zoning ordinance. Many of the issues relate to new development, easements, road dedications, and public safety issues. According to the City Attorney, the City is not obligated to open an easement to the public. Nor is it obligated to construct a road if it has a road easement. However, the