07-11-2022 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM Prepared By: L. Oakden Reviewed By: A. Carlson Approved By 1. Purpose. Provide non-binding feedback on the applicant’s proposed sketch plan for a front lot back lot subdivision. 2. Background. The property has approximately 13 acres in area and 270’ in width at Watertown Road, based on Hennepin County information. The property is in the RR-1A zoning district which requires a minimum of 5 acres and 300’ width. The current property is substandard due to lot width. The area is served by well and septic. A septic report has not been submitted to staff. There are potential wetlands on the property according to the Hennepin County map. In areas not served by sanitary sewer, each lot must meet the total minimum acreage requirement however can contain as little as 2 acres of dry contagious buildable land. The applicants are proposing to split the current parcel with an existing home into one front lot and a back lot configuration. The front lot would front on Watertown Road. Lot width is measured at the 100-foot front building setback line. The back lot would have street access from a shared driveway established in a 30-foot wide outlot. The back lot is required to meet 150% lot area standards which would require 7.5 total acres. Each lot would be required to provide its own septic and well. Area (5 Acre Required) Lot Width (300’ Required) Meets Requirements Existing Lot 13.07 270’ No Proposed Front Lot 3.65 240’ No Proposed Back Lot (150% Area) 9.41 (7.5 Acres required) N/A Yes Outlot N/A 30’ Yes * Items in red denote non-conforming standards. 3. Analysis. The proposal is not consistent with the zoning code or the Comprehensive Plan. The current zoning, RR-1A, requires 5 acres of dry buildable land area, and 300 feet of frontage. The community management plan has this area designated as rural, which is guided for 1 unit for 5 acres, consistent with the current zoning district minimums. The applicant’s proposal to create a substandard front lot would require lot area and lot width variances. The applicant must prove practical difficulties to support the required variances, which appear to be self-imposed. 4. Planning Commission Comment. On June 21, 2022 the Planning Commission discussed the applicant’s sketch plan. No public hearing was held for this item. The members of the commission were in agreement with staff that he project does not conform to the zoning standards. The Commissioners noted that they could not support variances. 5. Staff Recommendation. Planning Staff does not support the subdivision as non-conforming lots would be created which would be inconsistent with the zoning code and the comprehensive plan. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED Provide non-binding feedback to the applicant on the proposed subdivision. Item No.: 14 Date: July 11, 2022 Item Description: LA22-000027 – Amy Swanson, 4025 Watertown Rd, Sketch Plan Presenter: Melanie Curtis Planner Agenda Section: Community Development Report