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Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 <br />Hilary Farm Re-platting Request Denied <br /> (continued from page 1) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Because an amendment to the <br />comprehensive plan was a requirement for <br />the sub-division request to go further, Jim <br />McNulty elected to withdraw the plan at <br />this point. <br />public hearing. The plan received initial <br />approval by the commission, despite wide <br />spread opposition to it on the part of <br />members of the public who attended this <br />meeting. <br /> <br />According to Hilary Farm LLC, the new <br />concept was intended to increase the <br />number of lots, in order to jump-start sales. <br />The new configuration would allow for <br />some less expensive options within the <br />development. Since 2005, four homes <br />have been built by McNulty Homes. In <br />addition, the large lot containing the <br />original Bemis family home has been <br />purchased and a remodeling project is <br />underway. In 2009, one lot was sold but <br />the construction of a home is on hold, for <br />the time being. <br /> <br /> <br />Hillary Farm LLC requested that the lots in <br />this 28 acre part of the development be <br />changed from their current R-1 zoning to <br />R-3 zoning, which requires a minimum lot <br />size of 36,000 feet and set backs of 35 <br />feet on the front of the lot and 25 feet on <br />the back of the lot. <br /> <br />Hilary Farm LLC had asked for three <br />separate actions in order to re-plat the <br />development. One was to ask for a Gem <br />Lake Comprehensive Plan amendment to <br />allow for the change. This would have <br />amended the 1998 city plan on file with the <br />Metro Council. Hilary Farm had initial <br />approval for the development in 2004. <br />The second action requested was for a <br />Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for <br />greater density, in exchange for more <br />open space. The third action requested <br />was for the approval of a new Major <br />Subdivision, which was to be called Hilary <br />Farm Meadows. <br /> <br />After careful evaluation of the plans by <br />White Bear Township staff and various <br />engineering experts, several questions <br />and concerns were addressed in <br />preparation for a city council meeting, <br />which was held on January 18. <br /> <br />During this meeting, city council <br />members heard a presentation by <br />McNulty Homes regarding the <br />proposed sub-division. Various <br />members of the public provided their <br />feedback and expressed their <br />concerns. <br /> <br />The council then took up the first <br />request, which was to amend the city's <br />comprehensive plan. Each member of <br />the council, as well as the mayor, voted <br />negative on this request, citing specific <br />portions of the comprehensive plan that <br />each felt were in conflict with the <br />further sub-division of Hillary Farm. <br />