12/17/2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2001 development requests in the interim. After conferring with the City Attorney, staff believes it is best to adopt an interim ordinance (moratorium) prohibiting most types of residential development activity in the City for one year. City Planner Smyser indicated there are three main reasons for the moratorium. First, the City Council approved the comprehensive plan, but the plan is still undergoing review by the Metropolitan Council as required by State Statute. Until the Metropolitan Council approves the plan, the City is in an awkward position between the old, sketchy comprehensive plan and the new one. Staff has been using the new plan for guidance but it is not clear how firmly the City can enforce it. City Planner Smyser indicated, while the comprehensive plan establi growth to an average of 147 new homes per year, the current official means to ensure implementation of the policy. The City should be i deny new development applications, it has clear and easily defensibl City Planner Smyser added that City staff anticipates new pla d MUSA reserve applications in the very near future. Revising the ordinan a jor undertaking. City staff will have the services of the City's planning consultant, bu s e will require significant effort by staff as well. The moratorium will allow staff to d ote t e to the ordinance project rather than attempting to review new applications using ordinances or may not support the new comprehensive plan. the policy of reducing do not provide the n where, if it wants to City Planner Smyser indicated that the scope preliminary plats, residential rezoning, an development. Final platting of approved pre City Planner Smyser stated that the has received Livable Community Pro was a planning grant and anot State monies awarded to the Statutes in the Village develo um would prohibit new residential SA reserve for new residential ary plats will be allowed. would not apply in the Village. He explained the City s for the Village project. He indicated that the first implement the project. He noted these are regional and City to pursue goals set by the Legislature and State City Planner Smyse the moratorium, unles developments as a thre visions that result in up to four lots would be exempt from need MUSA reserve acres. He stated that staff did not see such smaller any new policies. City Planner Smyser indicated the moratorium would not affect commercial and industrial developments, nor building permits or site plan reviews. He noted that building permits are assigned, and site plans reviewed, on a lot -by -lot basis. City Planner Smyser indicated that the City has approximately -400 residential lots that have been approved for development and applications for building permits could be submitted for these developments and not be affected by the moratorium. He indicated that, per the new comprehensive plan policy of reducing development, this represented over two and one-half years worth of development. Therefore, City staff feels there are enough lots currently in the pipeline to