2011 01-18 CC MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake City Council Meeting Page 4 of 9 Mayor Uzpen stated the council had three requests from Hillary Farm. They were in the following order 1) A Comprehensive Plan Amendment; 2) A request for the approval of a Planned Unit Development and 3) A request to approve a new sub -division for Hillary Farm called Hillary Meadows. The council took up the Comprehensive Plan first. 1. Comp Plans Amendment (1997 and 2008): Upon motion by Councilmember Lindner and seconded by Councilmember Bosak, it was approved to discuss the amendment. Councilmember Lindner reminded the council that several years ago the east side of Scheuneman Road had been rezoned already. Mayor Uzpen proposed if clarification and further discussion needed to take place among the council, then it needs to be done. If not, then each councilmember would have an individual vote and explain their vote. There was no further discussion among the council, so the individual vote was as follows: Mayor Uzpen: Hillary. Farm LLC, Jim McNulty is requesting that the city amend the Comprehensive Plan to allow for replatting of lots within Hillary Farm development. The question 1 ask myself is, "does the proposed re -platting that McNulty is asking the city to do meet/fit the direction that the city has outlined in the Comprehensive Plan? What is the Comprehensive Plan? The Comp Plan is a comprehensive logical document that is prepared by the city officials with input from the City's citizens that outlines the direction of the city concerning growth and infrastructure. Growth is the type of development that the city has approved or will entertain in the coming years. When developers approach the city to develop land, the Comp Plan, along with the city ordinances, provides guidance to them as to zoning, infrastructure, building standards and the vision that the city sees for the area they are requesting to develop. There are no secrets because the information can be obtained from the city or the City's Web Site. Section 5.3.5 and 5.3.6 of the 1997 Plan defines the Central Residential Area of the city, which Hillary Farm is located. Section 5.3.5.A states "continued encouragement of very low density (three acre Lots minimum) residential lots to maintain the high quality natural environmental features of this area". 5.3.5. C states "develop very strict development controls adjacent to the water body Gem Lake and its attendant wetland areas including controls on grading, vegetation removal and introduction of extensive impervious surfaces. Section 9.2 Housing Goals and Policies. States, "The following goals and policies have been established by the municipal government of Gem Lake with regard to housing, Section 9.2.A states "continue to encourage low to very low density residential development within the city. Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org.