PUBLIC HEARING: Introduce Ordinance #20-03 Vacating Drainage and Utility Easement and Adopt Resolution #20-041 Approving Riverstone 4th Addition Final Plat (Project No. 19-149)

The purpose of this case is to review a Final Plat application from Capstone, LLC (the "Applicant") for Riverstone 4th Addition. The City Council previously approved a revised Preliminary Plat (overall master plan) for Riverstone. This Final Plat approves construction for 67 lots of this overall plan. The Final Plat is generally consistent with the revised Preliminary Plat and extends the utilities to the parcel directly adjacent to the property to the west.

The vacation of underlying drainage and utility easements is a common process during the Final Plat stage of development, and the Final Plat includes standard drainage and utility easements across each individual property and stormwater ponding. This is a typical step in the Final Plat process.

Staff attempted to notify all property owners within 700 feet via standard U.S. mail of the Public Hearing and published the Notice of Public Hearing in the Anoka County UnionHerald.

Final Plat
The proposed Final Plat is consistent with the approved Preliminary Plat for Riverstone which gives the project entitlement. The Final Plat extends utilities to the property to the west. The Final Plat will plat 67 lots per the attached final plat sheet.

The project is contingent upon the Puma Street reconstruction project which will realign the road on the northern end with Okapi Street. The development agreement (attached) and resolution (attached) note that the Certificates of Occupancy (CO) are contingent upon the recorded and executed contract for the road reconstruction. The road reconstruction will improve sight lines and capacity. By doing so, the project will improve safety in the area, align roadways which is a positive benefit for public safety, and move the intersection to a safer location based on grades onsite.

Alternative
Alternative 1: Introduce Ordinance #20-03 and Adopt Resolution #20-041 Approving Riverstone 4th Addition. This will move the project forward, though there will be an additional meeting required to finalize the adoption of Ordinance #20-03. Staff is supportive of this alternative.

Alternative 2: Deny Ordinance #20-03 and Resolution #20-041. This will stop the project. Staff is not supportive of this alternative as the final plat is consistent with the preliminary plat, which provides entitlement to the project.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with the request.

The Planning Commission recommends approval of this project. Staff recommends these actions to execute this recommendation.

Motion to introduce Ordinance #20-03 vacating Drainage and Utility Easement and adopt Resolution #20-041 approving Riverstone 4th Addition