HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 03-19
MEMORANDUM
To: Northeast Neighborhood Advisory Group
Steve Boone
Michael Snelson
Tom Kouri
From: Ronald A. Warren, Planning Commission Secretary
Date: March 19, 2001
Subject: Review of Planning Commission Application No. 2001-005 Submitted by Eagle
Crest Northwest, Inc.
A public hearing on Thursday, March 29, 2001, has been scheduled for the Planning
Commission to consider Application No. 2001-005, which is a request by Eagle Crest Northwest,
Inc. for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Rezoning and Site and Building Plan Approval for
the development of 21 single family detached townhomes on a 5.25 acre site located at the
th
southeast corner of T. H. 252 and 66 Avenue North. As a member of the Northeast
Neighborhood Advisory Group, you are invited to attend and participate, if you wish, in this
public hearing.
The site mentioned above has been the subject of much City Council consideration and
involvement over the last eight or so years. The City has acquired all of the property bounded by
thth
66 Avenue on the north, Willow Lane on the east, 65 Avenue on the south and T. H. 252 on
the west.
Over the years various meetings with neighboring property owners, the Riverwood
Neighborhood Association and the City have taken place in an attempt to find an acceptable and
economically viable development for this property.
The City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has reached preliminary agreement with
Eagle Crest Northwest for the development of 21 single family detached townhomes in this area.
A meeting with the potential developer and neighboring property owners has proven favorable
and Eagle Crest Northwest is proposing to seek formal approval of their plans.
Northeast Neighborhood Advisory Group
Page 1
The property in question is currently zoned C-1 (Service/Office Commercial). The applicant is
seeking a Planned Unit Development Rezoning with an R-3 (Townhouse) underlying zoning. A
detached townhome may sound like a contradiction in terms but these types of units have
recently been developed in a number of surrounding communities such as Brooklyn Park and
Maple Grove. The lots for these units, in many cases, will be smaller than the minimum size for
our single family residential zoning district and the developers propose to have reduced setbacks,
less street right of way width and a somewhat greater density than is typical in an R-1 zone.
They are also proposing a homeowner’s association for common maintenance of the area which
is like the City’s R-3 zoning district. For this reason, the R-3 underlying zoning is proposed for
this Planned Unit Development.
Normally rezoning applications considered by the Planning Commission are referred to the
respective Neighborhood Advisory Group. Your group has met on a few occasions to review
such proposals. Recently, State Statutes have been amended to require cities to respond to
zoning requests within 60 days from the date a properly submitted application has been filed
with the City. If no action is taken by the City Council within that time frame, the application is
considered to be approved. Our ordinances require publication and a legal notice sent to
surrounding property owners for rezoning applications, which require submission of a rezoning
application at least four weeks in advance of the Planning Commission’s public hearing. Almost
half of the State required 60-day time frame has been used up before the Planning Commission’s
public hearing is even held. This requirement makes it almost impossible for the City to hold the
Neighborhood Advisory Group meetings we normally have.
The Planning Commission has instituted a new procedure because it still wishes to receive
Neighborhood Advisory Group input with respect to rezoning applications. We now invite
Neighborhood Advisory Group members to the public hearing and encourage their participation
and comment. A staff report for this application will be completed no later than Tuesday, March
27, 2001, and it will be delivered to you for review. This memo is sent to copy you with the
notice of public hearing, which is attached, and to let you know that further information will be
provided.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this matter, please contact me at 763-569-
3300. Thank you.
Northeast Neighborhood Advisory Group
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