05-18-2004 Council Work SessionA

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TO: FROM: DATE: Mayor Peterson and Council Members Ron Moorse, City Administrator May 17,2004 SUBJECT: Medium Density Residential Development In September of 7000, the City iidopled an updated roinprehcnsive Plan which reflected, in larpc part, a continuation of the policies and vision of the prior Comprehensive Plan. One area of change was the re-guiding of two residential areas from a density of one unit per two acres, to densities of two to three and two to four units per acre. The two areas re-guided were the southwest quadrant of Old Crj stal Bay Road and Highway 12, and the cast side of Willow Drive from the IWSF Railroad corridor to Watertown Road. The overall purpose of this change was to provide a broader range of housing options to meet lifecycle housing needs. The change aLso reflected both historical conditions and changed conditions that made both of these areas more suitable for residential densities greater than one unit per two acres. fhe Old Crystal Bay Road/llighway 12 area was changed when the new Highway 12 corridor was located along the southern boundary of the area, 'fliis resulted in the property being bounded by a freeway and railroad on one side, by a highway on another side, and by industrial development on another side. 'Hicsc characteristics are not particularly conducive to two-acre (“rurar*) residential development. The Willow Drive area is adjacent to residential development at three units per acre in Long Lake, and is across Willow Drive from the two-unit per acre density in the llackberry Neighborhood. The northern portion of this area also changed when the new Highway 12 corridor was located on its northern boundary, and when the new Long Lake Fire Station was located on Willow Drive. Other than the twinhome and townhomc developments in Navarre along Livingston Avenue, the City has not had significant e.xperience with higher development densities. 1 he appearance of the StoneRay dcvclopncnt in the northwest quadrant ol Willow Drive and I lighway 12 is substantially dilfcrcnt than the Council had expected. Fi>r example, setbacks between buildings are much smaller— not because the buildings are laid out ditferently than indicated on the plans, but becau.se when the dimensions iue reflected in buildings on the ground, they arc smaller tlian the Council had envisioned. I he Council is concerned about whether the higher density residential development reflected in the updated C'oniprchcnsive Plan is compatible with the City's overall vision, and whether it is possible, with the proper development regulations, to achieve a design at two to four units pet acre that is compatible with the City's overall development vision. The main que.stions for the Council to address as initial steps in a decision process regarding higher density development options arc as follows: