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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-10 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN City Council Work Session Minutes June 10, 2021 — 5:30 pm The Corcoran City Council met on June 10, 2021, in Corcoran, Minnesota. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13D.021 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council and Planning Commission work session meeting was the audio and video conferencing platform Zoom. held remotely through electronic means using Mayor McKee was present at City Hall. Councilor Nichols, Councilor Schultz, Commissioner Jacobs, Commissioner Vehrenkamp, Commissioner Shoulak, Commissioner Lanterman, and Commissioner Wu were present via telephonic or other electronic means. Councilor Bottema and Councilor Thomas were excused. Mayor McKee thanked everyone for their attendance at the work session. City Administrator Martens and Administrative Services Director Beise were present at City Hall. City Planner Lindahl and Planner Davis were present via telephonic or other electronic means. 1. Call to Order /Roll Call Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5:30 pm. 2. City Council Ordinances and Planning Commission Discussion —Residential Zoning District City Planner Lindahl outlined the proposed urban cluster ordinance. Council and Planning Commission discussed urban efficiency ordinance or urban conservation ordinance as possible titles for the ordinance. City Planner Lindahl reviewed past Council work session meetings regarding the urban cluster ordinance and noted preservation of open space was a goal identified by Council, with discussion of open space size requirements in exchange for project flexibility. City Planner Lindahl noted wetland exemption from open space within the RSF-2 district, impacts to lot sizes, and density goals 3-5 units per acre within the comprehensive plan. City Planner Lindahl reviewed 20 percent, 30 percent, and 40 percent open space areas examples within a development and impacts to housing type, lot size, setback impacts, development site minimum acreage, and garage restrictions. City Planner Lindahl noted the proposed urban cluster ordinance is a reference point for discussion. Council discussed the percentage of open space and how housing type is impacted, and reviewed lot width sizes regarding open space percentages. Council noted concern of cluster developments near large home developments and unintentionally creating a spotty type housing environment within residential districts in Corcoran. Council noted creating a standard regarding open space location within new developments; and open space and lot complications created from limits to open space areas. Council questioned if the same outcome could be achieved through a PUD rather than through a new ordinance. City Planner Lindahl noted the existing PUD ordinance could reflect the requirement of open space preservation. Council and Planning Commission discussed PUD's, zoning, and the negative aspect of open space preservation under 50 percent preservation and the open space only available to residents in the housing association. Council noted reviewing an ordinance option of pre -determining natural, high -quality resource areas for conservation, as opposed to requiring a certain percentage of open space areas. Council discussed a conservation subdivision with high -quality, natural resources and requiring the developer to preserve the high -quality, natural resource area. Planning Commission discussed the importance of preserving the natural resource areas and park dedication discounted fees to potential developers as an incentive in open space preservations areas with 1 public accesses. City Planner Lindahi noted budget implications to future park and trails land development in discounting park dedication fees. Council noted consideration of credit for trails, not included on current trails plan, that are constructed through developments and allow public access. Council noted credit is currently given to developers who construct new trails not reflected in comprehensive plan. Planning Commission noted concern of phasing developments and manipulating areas of standard development versus conservation within development and creates developer favor. City Planner Lindahl indicated the defined ordinance should reflect a permanent intent with conservation easement to protect the land in perpetuity. Council noted rather than phasing a development, a developer could propose separate developments with multi -unit housing and single-family homes and only have conservation on a single development parcel. Council discussed conservation preservation, RSF-1, manipulation of the preservation area within parcel, and elimination of high -density housing types from the ordinance. Council discussed larger portioned preservation areas with higher -density housing, and incentives to developers regarding conservation within large land areas. Planning Commission discussed rural ag and residentially zoned areas, and concerns of urban clustering relating to park dedication. Planning Commis percent based on land u would equate to 40 perce sion further noted current requirement of 10 to 15 e category, with an additional 25 percent conservation requirement nt land conservation requirement by the city. Planning Commission discussed responsibility for open space maintenance and setting expectations for homeowner associations that maintain open spaces. Planning Commission discussed cluster housing versus large -parcel owned properties and cited a recent proposed development of a 90-acre parcel with 45 acres for 3-acre lot residential housing, and 45 acres remaining untouched until City sewer and water is available. Planning Commission reviewed the impacts of MUSA higher - density implication to the remaining 45-acre parcel once sewer and water are available. Planning Commission opined on a stronger City control with developers in preserving specific, natural resource areas in Corcoran. Planning Commission reviewed landowner perspective and defining preservation areas, noting the type of land or parcel may be part of intrinsic value definition of land within Corcoran. Council and staff discussed natural resource areas and a district conservation map overlay possibility. Council discussed incentivizing options to enhance conservation of high value preservation areas to maintain flexibility for landowner and developer. Council and Planning Commission discussed preservation in all residentially zoned districts and ordinance implications in development, specifically noting low -density residentially guided areas. Council, Planning Commission, and staff discussed scheduling a builder roundtable for conversation on conservation and preservation within future development in residential districts. 3. Unscheduled Items No unscheduled business was heard. 4. Adjournment MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Schultz to adjourn. Voting Aye: McKee and Schultz Nay. Abstain: Nichols (Motion carried 2:0:1) Meeting adjourned at 6:51 pm. Michelle Friedrich —Deputy Clerk