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Regular Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Thursday, April 10, 2014 <br />Page 6 <br />community. Mr. Paschke admitted that the City could have taken a considerable amount <br />242 <br />of time to figure out lots more specifically, but often that resulted in patches of zoning that <br />243 <br />didn’t fit well within an overall zoning plan. <br />244 <br />Member Cunningham asked if the action before the Commission tonight was to approve <br />245 <br />the actual development plan or only a zoning change; and asked if approval could be <br />246 <br />given contingent upon this plan being only for single-family residential without the <br />247 <br />developer being required to return to the Commission if they chose to move to twin <br />248 <br />homes or duplexes. <br />249 <br />Mr. Lloyd clarified that the requested action tonight was to approve rezoning, easement <br />250 <br />vacations, and parcel boundary layouts, not to approve a development plan or specific <br />251 <br />housing design plans. Mr. Lloyd advised that several years ago, this same parcel had <br />252 <br />been considered for twin homes with more density than proposed with this current <br />253 <br />proposal; and became the starting point to re-evaluate the site between then and the <br />254 <br />current development proposal. Mr. Lloyd noted that the developer had scaled their <br />255 <br />proposal down to single-family residential, as that met current market demand. <br />256 <br />At the prompting of Member Cunningham, Mr. Lloyd confirmed that the developer could <br />257 <br />change their plan as long as it remained within LDR-2 parameters and met all other <br />258 <br />requirements of that zoning; however, he advised that the Commission could not <br />259 <br />condition approval that the proposed units were only for single-family residential uses. <br />260 <br />In his review of this proposal, Member Keynan stated that he found this the best option <br />261 <br />for this site; and opined that a variance was not an option. Mr. Keynan noted that he was <br />262 <br />hearing the fears of the neighbors, but was not hearing any alternative for the <br />263 <br />Commission to address those fears, and questioned if there were other options available <br />264 <br />to the body. <br />265 <br />Chair Gisselquist clarified that the proposed action before the body was to approve <br />266 <br />rezoning and the plat, but that the actual use and home designs were not up for <br />267 <br />consideration at this time. While sympathizing with the public speakers and recognizing <br />268 <br />that at some point down the road, the housing units may change, Chair Gisselquist noted <br />269 <br />that this was ultimately beyond the Commission’s control. <br />270 <br />Member Boguszewski opined that, given everything he’d heard, he had no reason to <br />271 <br />believe there was any subterfuge by the applicant, but that their intent was to develop <br />272 <br />these as single-family properties; and especially if their intent was to do so this summer, <br />273 <br />they actually had no time to redefine their intent in order to meet the proposed timeline <br />274 <br />and approval and permit process. Member Boguszewski questioned why the developer’s <br />275 <br />intent or motives should be questioned, or why they would choose to become unpopular <br />276 <br />in developing something other than they had presented. Member Boguszewski spoke in <br />277 <br />support of the proposal even while recognizing the fears expressed by the neighbors; <br />278 <br />however, he noted that this proposal for single-family, market value homes would benefit <br />279 <br />surrounding properties and increase their market values as well. <br />280 <br />Member Cunningham disagreed with the comments of Member Boguszewski, opining <br />281 <br />that this proposed action was asking the community to take a risk; and with things always <br />282 <br />changing, it could prove to be a negative with zoning LDR-2. Member Cunningham <br />283 <br />concurred with the comments of Member Keynan in seeking an alternate option beyond a <br />284 <br />variance that could mitigate this potential risk in this area intended for single-family <br />285 <br />residential homes. Member Cunningham stated that she was inclined to vote in <br />286 <br />opposition to the proposal. <br />287 <br />Mr. Paschke opined that Member Cunningham was partially right in some sense, but <br />288 <br />clarified that LDR-2 zoning is a single-family residential district as well, and not just for <br />289 <br />duplexes or other types of housing that appear to be what is feared. Once zoning is <br />290 <br />changed, Mr. Paschke agreed that there were no guarantees and those fears could <br />291 <br />become a reality. However, in working with this developer and plans currently under <br />292 <br />review, Mr. Paschke advised that staff was not reviewing duplexes and twin homes with a <br />293 <br />much different design. Mr. Paschke further noted that, with the amount of money required <br />294 <br /> <br />