HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-26 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Work Session Minutes
August 26, 2021 — 5:30 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on August 26, 2021, in Corcoran, Minnesota. The City Council
meeting was held in person and the public was present in person and remotely through electronic
means using the audio and video conferencing platform Zoom.
Mayor McKee, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Nichols, and Councilor Schultz were present.
City Administrator Martens, Administrative Services Director Beise, and City Planner Lindahl were
present.
1. Call to Order /Roll Call
Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Developer Roundtable
City Planner Lindahl introduced developer panel and panel participants, Steph Griffin with Sotara,
and Jason Osberg with Creative Communities, and their land development experience. Council
and panel reviewed the scope of project experiences and current developments involvement,
marketing practices, and current housing demand. City Planner Lindahl reviewed the draft
ordinance regarding open space requirements, preservation of significant natural resources within
open space, and parkland deeded as open space. City Planner Lindahl noted discussion of 25
percent open space preservation in exchange for reduced lot size requirements. Ms. Griffin noted
importance of attainable housing, with ordinances in place allowing builders the ability to offer
different size housing, with natural amenities on -site, and not just adhere to standards. Council
and panel discussed developer motivation of a 25 percent open space preservation ordinance
requirement. Mr. Osberg commented on park dedication in lieu of open space and noted the
expense of open space preservation is lost revenue to builder especially for smaller developers.
Council and panel discussed builder adaptation of smaller lot sizes, baby boomer housing, and
park dedication ordinances. Panel noted wetlands and natural resource areas are viewed as
amenities and the ordinance could address open space preservation areas. Council reviewed
including trails in lieu of park dedication and open space and allowing HOA maintenance of parks
and the challenges related to that. City Planner Lindahl noted loss of park dedication funds would
result in loss of funds available to maintain and purchase parks and trails, and possibly loss of
amenities. Council discussed park dedication. Panel, Council and City Planner Lindahl discussed
challenges within MUSA area and uniqueness of an ordinance with 25 percent open space
preservation, and value of park dedication fees. Panel noted natural grade developments where
builder and purchaser make decision how to best work with natural grade of lot within
development, and the higher cost of this type of development. Council and panel discussed the
preservation space, PUD benefits and complications of PUD's from a builder perspective. Council
consensus was to continue the discussion at a future Council agenda.
3. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled business was heard.
C Adjournment
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Bottema to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:37 pm.
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Mich fie Friedrich —Deputy Clerk
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