10/14/1998 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board October 14, 1998 Page 16 takes exception to. Mr. Brixius clarified that this is not what is being represented. He explained the new households may be the same but the current households will be declining lower than the 3.3 rate. Mr. Trehus stated based on these numbers, in the year 2000 there will be 4,845 homes which means 7,785 homes in 2020 and a population (using current population per household figures) of 25,690 which is about what the Metropolitan Council is looking for. Mr. Trehus stated it is arguable to say this is a reduction from Metropolitan Council's figures. He next addressed growth zone boundaries which are being expanded and could support 250 to 300 homes per year if most of the soils are buildable. He stated that the growth zones incorporate a MUSA bank concept so there will not be development pressure since there would not be MUSA allocation. He stated that landowners within the MUSA are generally taxed at a higher rate and the MUSA bank concept is attempting to get around this. Mr. Brixius explained this is the concept as well as the flexibility of using it in different areas because of nonassessed value associated with the MUSA designation. Mr. Trehus stated he talked with someone from the Anoka County Assessor's office who indicated they will make sure the properties are valued at the MUSA designation rate prior to plat approval. They will not wait until MUSA is applied at the time of the plat to raise the property values. Mr. Trehus stated the growth zones are 100% larger (with hydric soils) than needed to create double the development pressure since there will be double the opportunity for development requests. Also, within that area they will be evaluated at a higher rate. Mr. Brixius stated Staff did talk with the Anoka County Assessor's office initially in 1995 and again in 1998. With regard to soils, Mr. Brixius stated this has been explained and based on past subdivisions, on average, the amount of wetlands within a subdivision are generally 1.5 times larger than shown on the NWI. Mr. Brixius stated Staff tried to identify areas of expanded wetlands using hydric soils based on the information they had. He stated it is a standard practice to ask for MUSA based on 1.5 times its Plan amendment. He noted it is written in the language of the Plan that MUSA would be applied on final plat approval, all platting procedures must comply with the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan, and there are protections on the size of the final plat. If this is not effective, the City can fall back on the moratorium basis. Mr. Brixius stated what is being done is not contrary to what is in the Plan. Mr. Trehus stated he has a number of concerns and reservation with the Plan. He noted the document from Councilmembers Lyden and Dahl containing their comments on the Plan which was on the table tonight but not included in the meeting packet. • •