10/26/1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 26, 1998 determine what constitutes a "failed septic system," and the determination thereof will be overseen by an appropriate City body such as the City Inspector, the Environmental Department, or an independent contracted entity specified by the City. An ordinance to this effect will be drafted and adopted concurrently with the Comprehensive Plan, if not sooner. Mr. Brixius had no comment. 8. The "moderate to low" growth rate of 70 homes per year will be adopted on an interim basis, with a maximum of half of the total allowable (35 homes per year) within the MUSA. The number of homes built each year will be regulated in two (2) ways: The number of building permits issued shall not exceed 35 inside the MUSA, or 70 total; nor will the number of homes or lots rezoned and/or platted exceed 35 inside the MUSA, or 70 total. When the City tax rate has remained below 20% for the preceding three (3) consecutive years, and if the City's tax base consists of 14% or more C&I, a "moderate" growth rate of 100 homes per year may be considered, with 50 maximum inside the MUSA. Said growth rate may possibly be subject to voter approval. If the above qualifying conditions are met but later a backslide occurs, the growth rate will return to 70 homes per year until such time as the qualifying conditions are again met. Mr. Brixius stated if the objective is economic development, urban growth or rural growth will not make a difference. Both will have the same impact on the community. 9. The rural land use will be expanded to encompass all land outside the current MUSA. Protective and supportive measures will be conceived and employed to encourage farming and agricultural operations and limit the encroachment of other land uses. Mr. Brixius had no comment. 10. Cluster staging as it has been defined in the Plan be permissible only with the MUSA. Clustered developments will be encouraged outside the MUSA, with a mandatory 50% open space requirement. Said open spaces shall have permanent conservation easements held by an entity such as the Minnesota Land Trust disallowing any future subdivision and/or development. Mr. Brixius stated the stage cluster is an unique element. It allows the property owner to do something with their property while holding the balance available for future urban growth. This will only be applied to Phase 2 expansion areas. It allows for an orderly staged progression of growth. The draft Plan is consistent to Council Member Lyden and Dahl's objective, but is not limited to existing MUSA. 11. Hobby Farm zoning districts will be created with a minimum lot size of five (5) acres. These subdivisions will require mandatory permanent conservation easements held by an entity such as the Minnesota Land Trust disallowing any future subdivision and/or development. Mr. Brixius indicated the issue is whether the City will extend utilities to planned areas in the future. The draft Plan allows for development to occur. This density will result in lots that are too large to assess and too small to subdivide. 12. Land use compatibility issues will be minimized by using greenways, hobby farms, and • clustered subdivisions as buffers for permanent agricultural operations. Mr. Brixius stated