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WS— Item #5 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 5 Date: March 2, 2015 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala Re: Metropolitan Council Residential Density Formula Background At the February 17, 2015 City Council Strategic Planning Workshop, the Council raised residential development density as a future concern. During the discussion the question of how residential density is calculated was raised. The Council specifically suggested that stormwater management ponds should be excluded from the net area of a parcel. The Council requested the topic be placed on the work session for discussion. Density Overview The City's Comprehensive Plan includes a Land Use Plan. The Land Use Plan provides a guide for managing future development and growth by determining future land uses, development intensity, and areas for environmental protection. The City contains approximately 21,267 acres. Of that area 9,900 acres (46%) is comprised of open water, parks/open space, and wetlands and will remain undeveloped. Residential uses account for approximately 34 percent of the total 2030 net developed land area. Mixed use areas, which allow for both residential and commercial development, account for an additional 4.3 percent of net land area. Each residential land use designation establishes a net density range as follows: Land Use Net Density (units per acre) 2030 Net Developed Acres % of Total Area* Low Density 1.6 to 3.9 3,388 27.1 Medium Density 4.0 to 5.9 581 4.7 High Density 6.0 to 10 162 1.3 Mixed Use Varies** 536 4.3 *Total Acres = 12,480 (excluding wetlands & open water areas) ** Mixed use typical 8-15 units/acre. Legacy = 10-24/acre, Hardwood Creek 3.0- 4.5 units per acre In order to ensure that regional sewer infrastructure investments are used cost-effectively, the Met council requires a minimum average net density of three to five dwelling units per acre 1