DISCUSSION ITEM: Feedback on Possible Lot Split at 16950 Neon St NW

City Staff received an inquiry a couple weeks ago from Jill Hauck (the "Property Owner") as to the steps to complete a simple lot split involving the property located at 16950 Neon St NW (the "Subject Property").  As Staff reviewed the information about the Subject Property, it was discovered that it was only 3.54 acres, which is deficient of the minimum required acreage for the Zoning District.  Due to the cost associated with survey work that would be necessary for a Minor Plat, Staff thought it may be prudent to bring forth a brief discussion item for the Planning Commission, which may give the Property Owner more insight into the potential of a variance before incurring significant expenses.

Notification is not required.

The Subject Property is zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing), which requires a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres.  The surrounding properties are zoned either Planned Unit Development (PUD) or R-1 Residential (Rural Developing).  With the exception of the lot directly to the north, which is approximately seven (7) acres in size, most of the surrounding lots east of Saint Francis Blvd (aka Highway 47) are well under the 2.5 acre standard.  In fact there are even a small number of attached townhomes (there are six [6], two [2] unit buildings) that were approved as part of the rum River Hills PUD.  Directly across the street from the Subject Property is a part of the Rum River Hills Golf Course.  The lots north of the Golf Course, which are zoned R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) are all approximately 1.25 acres in size.

If the Subject Property were split, both resulting lots would be approximately 1.75 acres in size.  While this is below the minimum required acreage in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing), it would certainly be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.  Furthermore, the proposed use (residential lot) is a permitted use in the zoning district. 

The Property Owner had been under the impression that she owned five (5) acres.  She would like to pursue a variance to address the lot size deficiency but wanted to see what sort of feedback there may be before incurring costs associated with both applying for a variance and the survey work to prepare a Minor Plat.

Staff is handling this as part of normal staff duties.  If the Property Owner does submit a formal Land Use Application, then the Applicant would be responsible for all costs incurred.

Staff recommends providing any general feedback on the potential of a variance to deviate from the minimum lot size standard of the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) Zoning District.

Provide the Property Owner any comments and/or feedback concerning a potential variance to allow the lot split.