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2 <br /> <br />City Staff also reviewed the request in relation to the purpose and intent of the agriculture zoning <br />district and rural area development land use guidance. Below is the definition of the agriculture <br />(A) zoning district from LEC 105.12.610(b) and the definition of rural area development (RAD) <br />from the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. <br />A: Agricultural District will apply to agricultural or undeveloped areas in the city, including any <br />newly annexed areas. The purpose of the district is to allow for agricultural and other activities <br />typically associated with agriculture, including non-farm dwellings at a density of one unit per 40 <br />acres. Future residential development may occur at the aforementioned density or through the <br />open-space preservation development process. These parcels are expected to be served by on-site <br />wastewater treatment facilities. In addition, some limited agriculture-related businesses, such as <br />wayside stands and outdoor recreation, are appropriate short-term or interim uses for this district. <br />RAD: A large percentage of land in Lake Elmo falls within the Rural Area Development <br />designation, including single-family detached homes, working farms and agricultural uses where <br />land is undeveloped, cultivated in crops, or used for livestock. This designation includes open <br />space developments that are developed, or may be developed, with clustered housing and may be <br />served by a community septic system. Open space developments generally average more than 1 <br />residential unit per 10 acres and include a dedicated open space protected through a conservation <br />easement. This designation is inclusive of large-lot rural single-family detached residential uses <br />and future conventional subdivision. Density across this land use designation is planned to <br />maintain maximum densities of 1 residential dwelling unit per 10 acres. This land use designation <br />is limited to areas not within the MUSA planning areas. <br />In order for the zoning text amendment to be approved, the City must find: <br />1. The proposed uses are consistent with the Agriculture Zoning District; and <br />2. The proposed uses are consistent with the Future Land Use Definition in the City’s <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT LANGUAGE: <br />Proposed amendments are attached. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: <br />A public hearing was sent to surrounding property owners within 350 feet of the site on November <br />29th 2023 and published in the City’s official newspaper on December 1st 2023. Below is a <br />summary of the public comment received: <br />• John Burban - 9612 57th St N – Voiced concerns regarding the operation of the recycling <br />facility and sound and odor associated with the use. The resident also commented on the <br />lack of working with neighbors throughout the process. The resident spoke a second time <br />and noted Washington County yard waste sites. <br />• Richard Egersdorf – 9960 57th St N – Voiced concerns with the sound and odor associated <br />with the business. The resident commented on concerns with the scale of the operation on <br />the property. The resident noted they did not receive the mailing since they are outside of <br />the 350’ range. <br /> <br />PLANNING COMMISSION: <br />The Planning Commission reviewed the request at their December 11th meeting. The commission <br />voted to recommend approval of the amendments as presented by City Staff (Vote 6-0). <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: