2001-197 Council Resolution-Minutes

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COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2001 City Planner Smyser indicated that there have been a number of developers waiting to submit plans to the City for years. He indicated that there is not a great deal of MUSA available in the reserves. He stated once the Metropolitan Council approves the City's comprehensive plan, MUSA acreage will again be available. City Planner Smyser estimated that there were approximately three to four properties with a minimum of 80 acres each waiting to propose plats to the City. Additionally, there were a few locations in the City's existing MUSA areas that may be interested in proposing plats; however, plans have yet to be submitted. Councilmember Carlson requested confirmation that there were approximately four properties not currently located in the MUSA with at least 80 acres, for a total of approximately 320 acres, that may currently be ready for development. City Planner Smyser stated that this was correct. Councilmember Carlson noted that this could result in over 700 new units being proposed in the City. She expressed concern that if the moratorium is not established, the City could face litigation if the ordinances are not in place to protect the City and implement the comprehensive plan goals of controlling growth. Councilmember Reinert noted the City cannot allocate MUSA funds it does not have. Additionally, he pointed out that the comprehensive plan has not yet been approved by the Metropolitan Council. He indicated that the City was approximately 10 weeks away from having MUSA available and he did not want the City to find itself in a situation where it has MUSA available but does not have the necessary ordinances in place to achieve the goals of the comprehensive plan. Councilmember Reinert felt that if the City moved too fast on establishing a moratorium without a process in place it would be a major risk. He encouraged City staff to move forward in establishing a process to create the necessary ordinances to achieve the goals of the comprehensive plan so the moratorium can be approved. Councilmember Dahl asked if the local developers had been notified of the pending moratorium. City Planner Smyser indicated the proposed moratorium has been publicized and he has received a number of calls from local developers. Councilmember Dahl expressed concern that she did not know what the 143 topics are that City staff intends to address. However, she was also concerned about the possiblity of the comprehensive plan being approved without a moratorium in place and without the necessary ordinances in place to support the goals of the comprehensive plan Councilmember Dahl noted City Planner Smyser had estimated that there were approximately four properties waiting to propose plats to the City and she believed these developers will begin to put pressure on the City if it does not move forward with the updates to the City Code. She felt if pressure is put on staff this will also cost the City time. 12