Adopt Ordinance #17-02 Approving a Zoning Amendment for Woodlands 4th Addition (Project #16-102); Case of Lennar Corporation

Lennar Corporation (the "Applicant") has submitted an application for a Zoning Amendment to rezone a portion of land from R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) to R-1 Residential (MUSA).  The Zoning Amendment addresses thirteen (13) proposed new lots south of the existing Woodlands subdivision that will be incorporated into the Final Plat for Woodlands 4th Addition. The City Council approved the Preliminary Plat on January 24, 2017, including introducing this Ordinance. The Ordinance is now recommended for adoption.

Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within 700 Feet of the Subject Property of the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was also published in the City's official newsletter, the Anoka County Union Herald.

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the Zoning Amendment on January 5, 2017 and there were no written or verbal comments received.  Staff did receive a couple inquiries about the development from residents wanting to ensure that it was following all applicable regulations pertaining to wetlands. The development is subject to not only the City's standards, including the lot depth requirement and wetland setback requirement, which now provide additional protections to wetlands then existed for previous additions of Woodlands, but also to review by the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) standards as well. The Planning Commission did recommend approval of the Zoning Amendment.

The City Council considered the Zoning Amendment, along with the Preliminary Plat, at the January 24, 2017 meeting and introduced Ordinance #17-02 to rezone the property from R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) to R-1 Residential (MUSA).  The Ordinance is now eligible for adoption.

Alternatives

Alternative 1.   Adopt Ordinance #17-02 rezoning the property from R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) to R-1 Residential (MUSA).  The Preliminary Plat was approved on January 24, 2017 but was contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter and upon adoption of the Zoning Amendment.  Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2.  Do not adopt Ordinance #17-02.  This would invalidate the Preliminary Plat that was approved (with contingencies, including the adoption of this Ordinance).  Staff is not supportive of this alternative. 

All costs associated with processing the Application are the responsibility of the Applicant.

The Planning Commission recommends adoption of Ordinance #17-02.

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement that the Ordinance be read aloud and adopt Ordinance #17-02 to rezone the property from R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) to R-1 Residential (MUSA). 

Roll Call: 
   Councilmember LeTourneau 
   Councilmember Kuzma
   Councilmember Shryock
   Councilmember Williams 
   Councilmember Johns 
   Councilmember Riley
   Mayor Strommen