01/08/1997 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board January 8, 1997 Page 3 Mr. Dunn asked if a land trade, that was mentioned at the last meeting, is being • negotiated. • Mr. Uhde, Behms Century Farms Developer, introduced Mr. Peter Coyle from the Larkin Hoffman law firm. Mr. Coyle stated that his firm has extensive experience working with cities and developers to resolve Metropolitan Council issues, including MUSA issues. The Metropolitan Council would entertain an expansion to the Behms Century Farms property notwithstanding the compromise reached a year ago between the City and the Council not to expand MUSA north of I -35W until the Comprehensive Plan is updated and impacts to the interchange of I -35W and CSAH 23 are reviewed. Mr. Uhde has agreed to pre -fund for the City a traffic study of the corridor of I -35W and CSAH 23, so that an analysis can be presented to the Metropolitan Council. The minor subdivision would satisfy the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities Act to supply more affordable housing. Mr. Uhde would be open to a land swap if there is a property owner who would be willing to make that trade. However, it is difficult to get property owners with properties in MUSA to negotiate for properties outside of MUSA. He is cautiously optimistic that the Metropolitan Council will entertain MUSA expansion if transportation solutions are well designed from the traffic analysis. Approval of the minor subdivision is critical to the application to the Metropolitan Council to expand MUSA. The Council consistently tells developers not to submit MUSA applications until there is evidence that the City is committed to the project. Chair Schaps asked the time frame for action by the Metropolitan Council on the MUSA issue. Mr. Coyle responded that a reasonable time frame would be 60 to 90 days. Mr. Dunn asked if the City is comfortable with the proposed agreement. Mr. Wessel stated that all parties are cooperating and working together. Mr. Brixius stated that if the Board chooses to approve rezoning and the minor subdivision, the recommendations stipulate that if MUSA is not extended to include these properties, no further development can take place. No other building permits would be issued until sewer is available to the balance of the plat. Mr. Johnson asked what happens if these issues cannot be resolved in the near future and how would the City be able to protect development in that area. • Mr. Coyle stated that Behms Century Farms would have no development rights until MUSA is extended to these properties. He noted that the Comprehensive