2007.07.16 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council meeting of July 16, 2007 Page 3 crosswalks, and other pavement markings. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the purchase of the line striper and small utility trailer at the cost of $7,335. APPROVE $20.000 GRANT APPLICATION TO MET COUNCIL FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The City has been notified by the Metropolitan Council of an opportunity to receive $20,000 in grant money toward the update to the City's 2008 Comprehensive Plan. This grant money would be in addition to the $40,000 loan the City has already received from the Met Council for this purpose. Adoption of the Consent Agenda adopted Resolution 2007-33 authorizing staff to submit the grant application. CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO RURAL & OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE aka OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE At its June 4, 2007 meeting, Council discussed the recently revised and renamed Open Space Preservation Ordinance. Council directed staff to publish for a public hearing and post revisions to the ordinance on the City's website and make it available at the front counter at City Hall. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance on May 24, 2007 by a vote of four to one with one abstention. CD Director Bryan Bear provided Council with a PowerPoint presentation outlining the background of the ordinance, including the proposed revisions. The City has previously granted subdivision approval to Sunset Shores and Enchanted Waters under the existing ordinance and were granted one year extensions to complete the process. Council member Haas requested the City Attorney provide a legal opinion stating the status of the developments when their extensions expire. Mayor Miron opened the public hearing. Jim Laumer, 12623 Homestead Drive, questioned: physically integrating neighborhoods; minimum lot size; clustering homes and calling it "open space"; and homeowners' associations control of open space area. Steve Wlaschin, 7755 125h Street, stated that because of the huge cost to install a community well, a bonus density points should be awarded. A bonus should be awarded for a third party easement holder. The elimination of bonus densities will make it difficult to get developers. Kathy Scobie, 7676 120' Street, agreed that a density bonus should be granted due to high cost of the community well. There are not enough bonuses to encourage a developer and land will be subdivided into stove pipe lots. With no more comments, Mayor Miron closed the public hearing. Council discussed at great length the reason for creation of the open space ordinance, the time spent to create the ordinance, the recent time spent to consider revising it, density bonuses, and the need for such an ordinance to prevent expansion of the MUSA. Mayor Miron deviated from the discussion stating that he was of the opinion that the rural community was not in favor of the cluster/open space/rural preservation ordinance and that the ordinance may be ahead of its time, and whether it should be abolished. He felt that public participation in the 2008 Comprehensive Plan process would dictate the outcome for rural development. CD Director Bryan Bear suggested Council could also consider a moratorium but Council did wish to use this option.