Introduce 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 multiple requests for variances to the lot width on cul-de-sac lots 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 measure 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. 
 

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.

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 introduce Ordinance #18-01 amending the lot width requirement for cul-de-sac lots in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing)  District.