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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, July 13, 2009 <br />Page 21 <br />high density provided the City with greater discretion and control, since medium <br />density may or may not require a PUD. Mayor Klausing clarified that the City <br />Council was not acting in haste regarding this proposal, since it had been under <br />discussion and consideration since March of 2009, and had been before staff and <br />Planning Commission for some time prior to that. <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined that the comprehensive plan did not need to be <br />amended tonight; and further opined that the comprehensive planning process <br />should be community-based, not driven by developers. Councilmember Ihlan <br />noted that the City Council had democratic authority to make plans for the overall <br />best interest of the community; and opined that there remained much disceetion <br />regarding how to proceed with rezoning beyond this particular project. <br />[11.1] <br />Klausing moved, Roe seconded, adoption of a Resolution entitled, "A Resolution <br />Approving a Comprehensive Land Use Map Designation Amendment from Low <br />Density Residential (LF) to High Density Residential (HR) at 2025 County Road <br />B (PF-09-002)." <br />Councilmember Roe opined that the real question, as apparent from the public <br />comment consensus, was whether something more intense than single-family or <br />low density was appropriate for this parcel; then what actual designation was most <br />appropriate. Councilmember Roe noted the difficulty in making this decision; <br />with medium density having a range of 5 -1 2 units per acre; and high density al- <br />lowing for over 13 units per acre, while allowing the City more flexibility in what <br />can be developed with high density designation, based on the flexibility of a PUD. <br />Therefore, Councilmember Roe, spoke in support of comprehensive plan guid- <br />ance to high density residential to allow the City more control and flexibility over <br />potential development and the merits of specific proposals and public input during <br />that process, rather than potential lack of control or medium density designation. <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined that, if the project was turned down, it should be for <br />the right reasons, and opined that it should be based on a policy discussion. <br />Councilmember Ihlan further opined that the proposed high density project served <br />to emphasize why it would be bad policy to change the comprehensive plan des- <br />ignation to high density, based on the common sense nature of planning problems <br />created. Councilmember Ihlan addressed access issues using Midland Grove <br />Road and safety issues currently existing at the curve along that roadway, and <br />only being compounded with this proposal; additional traffic in the immediate <br />area with another 55-units as proposed, with this building identified by the devel- <br />oper as a "small" high density building; excessive height, setback and impervious <br />surface issues; diminishing green space; storm water drainage pressures on the <br />system; and her perspective that planning policy indicates that this site is too <br />small for high density use. <br />