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Mounds View Planning Commission November 7, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson indicated that he felt that would be an appropriate requirement and indicated that he thought the developer would be amenable to that since there are costs involved with removing trees and clearing a site. Chairperson Stevenson commented that he did not have an issue with the property owner wanting to develop the land but said Chapter 1010 was written to protect the wetland from added water pressures that come with building houses too close together in it. Director Ericson indicated that the larger lot size requirement also limits the amount of impervious surface in the area. Chairperson Stevenson indicated he was not sure where the exception is that would allow the Planning Commission to grant the variance. He then commented that this seems to be a prime example of why the City wanted lots of 125 feet and to reduce the lot width by 40% of the requirements does not seem appropriate. Commissioner Miller asked, if the builder were limited to eight (8) lots, would the proposed development match the other lots on the other side better. Director Ericson indicated that the way the plat is drawn currently the lots match up well with the development across the street. He then indicated that most of the lots are 100 feet wide which is 33% larger than the minimum lot width requirement of 75 feet and noted if this were not a wetland the developer would be able to have 14 lots. Commissioner Johnson asked if this property had been previously platted for 14 lots. Director Ericson indicated that no formal plats were approved for this property previously. Commissioner Johnson indicated that since Rice Creek Watershed District has approved the proposed development he would support approval. He further indicated that with the drainage swale and requirement to do soil borings before trees are removed there should not be a problem with the request. Commissioner Miller indicated that the Planning Commission is not denying the builder his right to build but rather to require him to meet the 125-foot lot width requirements. She further indicated that requiring the builder to meet the 125-foot minimum lot width requirements would still allow for eight (8) lots. Commissioner Zwirn indicated he felt that 11 lots is over saturation for the land and he would be more comfortable with the eight (8) lots. He then indicated that he felt approval of this development with the 11 lots would be providing a long-term detrimental impact to the neighborhood. He further commented that with residents fertilizing lawns and runoff into the wetland there is the potential that it would create a stagnant pond and jeopardize the wetland area.