Adopt Ordinance #18-01 Amending Lot Width Requirements for Cul-De-Sac Lots in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District

Over the past several years, the City has processed several requests for variances to the lot width standard on cul-de-sacs in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District.  The current standard requires 200 feet of lot width for any lot on the bulb of a cul-de-sac in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District.  In response to these requests, Staff brought forth a discussion item for the Planning Commission in December of last year.  After contemplating the merits of a reduced lot width, the Planning Commission directed Staff to prepare an ordinance to amend the requirement for the Rural Developing District to require a minimum width of 100 feet for lots on the bulb of a cul-de-sac. 

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing at their February 1, 2018 meeting.  There were no written or verbal comments received regarding the proposed change to the lot width standard.  The Planning Commission had requested that the amendment include the language "...as measured at the front yard setback requirement.".  Staff reviewed the Lot Width definition in City Code and confirmed that the definition already specifies that the width measurement is to be made at the minimum required front yard setback and therefore, finds it unnecessary to repeat this language. 

The City Council introduced Ordinance #18-01 at its February 27, 2018 meeting and it is now eligible for adoption.

City Staff published a notice of public hearing in the Anoka Union Herald, the City's official newspaper.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Adopt Ordinance #18-01 amending the minimum lot width standard in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District to 100 feet for lots on the bulb of a cul-de-sac.  The Planning Commission supported this alternative but directed Staff to revise the language to specify that the measurement was to be made at the required front yard setback.  This ordinance amendment will likely reduce future requests for variances to lot width for cul-de-sac lots.  Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Do not adopt Ordinance #18-01.  If this ordinance is not adopted, the minimum required lot width in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District will remain 200 feet, whether on a cul-de-sac or not.  Both Staff and the Planning Commission feel that in the Rural Developing District, 100 feet of lot width on the bulb of a cul-de-sac is sufficient and still maintains that 'rural' feel.  Staff does not support this alternative.

At the February 27 City Council Meeting, the City Council had inquired about the origins of the current standard. Staff continues to research this issue, but has not found any definitive direction. If the City Council desires additional research on this topic, Staff requests that direction be provided to provide said additional research and report back at a future date.

Costs associated with this case are the responsibility of the City.

The Planning Commission recommends adoption of Ordinance #18-01 amending the lot width requirement for cul-de-sac lots in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) District.

Motion to waive the Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud and to adopt Ordinance #18-01 amending the lot width requirement for cul-de-sac lots in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing)  District.

Roll Call Vote
Councilmember Riley
Councilmember Shryock
Councilmember Letourneau
Councilmember Johns
Councilmember Kuzma
Mayor Strommen