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COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 2003 APPROVED 285 is the setbacks will be five feet less than would normally be required, allowing for an expanded ,286 backyard open area. He indicated that is the primary gain for the City. 287 288 Councilmember Dahl indicated she was unable to finish the previous week's work session, and she 289 thanked the gentlemen from the Bruggeman property for being generous in working with the City 290 Council. She indicated when she talked with them today she expressed that she liked the detached 291 townhome option, but she is not sure how the other Council members felt since that was discussed at 292 the work session after she left. She stated if the others do not agree on the detached townhomes she 293 would opt for the twinhomes. She indicated she felt the detached townhomes provided the best buffer 294 from one neighborhood to another, since the homes across the street are mostly split-levels. She has 295 seen very nice detached townhomes in Blaine, and would prefer that option. 296 297 Mayor Bergeson stated there were only three Council members at the work session when this was 298 discussed, and the preference was for twin homes or three -unit structures. 299 300 Councilmember Carlson stated her original preference was for detached townhomes, but with twelve 301 units the yards are very small. She indicated her choice would also be twinhomes. She noted all of 302 the units are the same size, regardless of the number of units, so what they would gain is visual space 303 between structures. 304 305 Councilmember Reinert stated he hopes this project does not pass, but if it does his preference would 306 be twinhomes. He asked if he was correct in his assumption that currently there is an F rating at the 307 intersection. City Planner Smyser responded that currently one of the turn lanes is rated an F. 308 Councilmember Reinert asked what the rating would be if this project was approved. City Planner W309 Smyser indicated they do not have a final determination, but Staff feels with improvements that 310 would be financed partially by this development, the intersection should function normally. 311 312 Councilmember Reinert indicated they did not know what the rating would be after this development, 313 and the City has two other developments going in that would affect traffic at this intersection. He 314 thinks they should have more answers before putting in a medium density project in this location. 315 316 Councilmember Dahl asked if the zoning remained R-1, what the density could be. City Planner 317 Smyser indicated it is somewhat difficult to say with the configuration of the existing wetlands, but 318 assuming 26 acres of upland, with two to three units per acre, it could be 52 to 78 units. He reminded 319 the Council the City's Comprehensive Plan guides this site for medium density residential, therefore, 320 unless the City were to change the Comprehensive Plan, they would be violating State law if they 321 approved anything other than medium density residential. 322 323 Councilmember Dahl questioned why they would be violating State law when they have yet to zone 324 this R-3. City Planner Smyser indicated single-family residential would not comply with the 325 Comprehensive Plan. 326 327 City Attorney Hawkins offered his opinion that City Planner Smyser is correct. He stated State law 328 dictates that approved projects must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, or a Comprehensive 329 Plan Amendment must be applied for through the required process. 330 • 7