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08.b1 UDC Amendment for Major Subdivision Streets and Stormwater - CC Packet 1 | P a g e Date of Meeting: March 18, 2025 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: T.J. Hofer, Consultant City Planner Re: UDC Amendment for Major Subdivision Design Standards – Streets and Stormwater City staff have been working on an amendment to the Unified Development Code to establish standards for major subdivisions. The Planning Commission has recommended part of the standards, regarding streets and stormwater, be approved as staff identified them as more time sensitive than the other standards BACKGROUND At the February 4, 2025, meeting of the Planning Commission staff presented language to amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) to add standards for major subdivisions. Those standards would require buffers from streets and existing dwellings and establish standards for streets, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and landscaping. The Planning Commission discussed the ordinance and held a public hearing where no comments were made. The Planning Commission directed staff to review the buffers, how the other standards related to the buffers, and asked for additional examples of development patterns. In reviewing the ordinance staff identified that some aspects of the ordinance may be more time- sensitive than others. Staff prepared a separate ordinance that includes standards for streets and stormwater management. The Planning Commission wished to continue the discussion on subdivision design, and recommended the standards that staff identified as more time sensitive. The Planning Commission is likely to take up the discussion regarding major subdivision design standards at the May meeting, as the April meeting has a large number of applications already on the agenda. Staff have also been in contact recently with the Metropolitan Council Sector Representative to understand how the recently adopted Imagine 2050 policies will impact development and subdivision in the City. 2 | P a g e OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED STANDARDS Section 1 (A) General Standards III. Minor or Major Subdivision. Any subdivision that results in three or less lots shall be considered a Minor Subdivision. Any subdivision that results in four or more lots shall be considered a Major Subdivision. The additional standards and requirements in Section [153.400.030 Subd. 3 (I)] shall only apply to Major Subdivisions. Section 1 establishes language in (A) General Standards for Minor or Major Subdivisions. This is intended to both establish the difference between minor and major subdivisions and also direct users of the code to the section where standards for major subdivisions are established. Section 2 (G) Streets, Access Spacing Guidelines. (H) VIII. Utilities Numbering within sections of the Unified Development Code shall be adjusted in tandem to include the amendments within this ordinance. Section 2 of the Ordinance fixes a numbering issue within the UDC. Section 3 (I) Major Subdivisions. Any subdivision that results in four or more lots shall meet or exceed the following: The General Standards in (A) are established to note that the minimum standards located in the same chapter must still be met. These include standards for submittal information, lot requirements, monuments, and streets. Streets. All lots shall have access from a local street. No access shall be permitted to any lot from a street designated as an arterial or collector. Streets shall be designed and located in such a manner as to: i. Maintain and preserve natural topography, groundcover, significant landmarks, historic barns, and trees; ii. Minimize cut and fill; iii. Preserve and enhance both internal and external views and vistas; 3 | P a g e iv. Promote road safety; v. Ensure adequate access for fire and rescue vehicles; and vi. Ensure and promote adequate vehicular circulation both within the development and with adjacent neighborhoods. The design of streets and the dedication of right-of-way shall be in compliance with the city's current engineering design standards and specifications as may be amended. Alignments of streets shall be consistent with the Local Roadway Gap Areas map in the adopted Comprehensive Plan and shall be subject to review by the City. Language regarding streets is intended to ensure that developments at maximum density are served off local streets to limit access points along arterial and collector streets. Additional design standards are included so that natural features are preserved. Stormwater Management Subdivisions shall be designed to minimize the number of stormwater management facilities required. Stormwater management facilities shall be located near and be accessible from public right-of-way where practicable. i. Any stormwater management facilities that are not accessible from public right-of-way, must include a narrative describing a management plan. ii. A development agreement may be required anywhere stormwater management facilities are not accessible from public right-of- way All stormwater management facilities including emergency overflow pathways shall be located within drainage and utility easements and shall not promote surface flow outside of its respective easement. Emergency overflows from stormwater management facilities shall be directed away from adjacent properties towards public right-of-way or public drainage systems to the fullest extent practicable. Stormwater treatment standards shall meet or exceed those outlined in the relevant Watershed District stormwater management standards and/or the Minnesota NPDES permit conditions, whichever is more stringent. Stormwater management facilities will be required to minimize the number of facilities and to locate them near public right-of-way to ensure that the facilities can be maintained. Additional standards have been added to ensure stormwater management meets required permitting outside of the City and to ensure stormwater generated from development does not impact adjacent properties. 4 | P a g e ANALYSIS Staff Analysis The proposed standards are consistent with the purpose of the UDC and the Comprehensive Plan and address issues that the City has identified in the past. COUNCIL ACTION The City Council can do one of the following: 1. Approve, with or without conditions, of the attached resolution. 2. Deny, with findings, of the attached resolution. 3. Table the request for further review/study. RECOMMENDATION The Planning Commission recommends approval of the attached Ordinance 2025-03 which establishes the standards for streets and stormwater management for Major Subdivisions. Staff recommends approval of Resolution 03-18-25-03 and 03-18-25-04 approving summary publication and finding of facts for Ordinance 2025-03. Motion to approve of Ordinance 2025-03 to amend the Unified Development Code Section 153.400.020 Subd. 3 to establish major subdivision design standards, correct errors in the layout of the document, and establish street and stormwater standards, as well as Resolution 03-18-25-03 and 03-18-25-04 approving summary publication and finding of facts for Ordinance 2025-03 with the findings described within the staff report. Attachments A. Ordinance 2025-03 Establishing Street and Stormwater Standards in Major Subdivision Design Standards B. Resolution 03-18-25-03 Approving Findings of Facts for Ordinance 2025-03 C. Resolution 03-18-25-04 Approving Summary Publication for Ordinance 2025-03 D. Planning Commission "UDC Amendment for Major Subdivision Design Standards” Packet, March 4, 2025 (Link Only) Page 1 of 3 CITY OF SCANDIA ORDINANCE NO.: 2025-03 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCANDIA UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 153.400.020 REGARDING STREET AND STORMWATER STANDARDS IN MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS The City Council of the City of Scandia, Washington County, Minnesota hereby ordains: Section 1 Amendment. The City of Scandia Unified Development Code (“Development Code”, or “Code”), Section 153.400.020 Subd. 3, shall be amended by adding the underlined text and deleting the stricken text as follows: (A) General Standards III. Minor or Major Subdivision. Any subdivision that results in three or fewer lots shall be considered a Minor Subdivision. Any subdivision that results in four or more lots shall be considered a Major Subdivision. The additional standards and requirements in Section [153.400.020 Subd. 3 (I)] shall only apply to Major Subdivisions. Section 2 Amendment. The City of Scandia Unified Development Code (“Development Code”, or “Code”), Section 153.400.020 Subd. 3, shall be amended by adding the underlined text and deleting the stricken text as follows: (G) Streets, Access Spacing Guidelines. (H) VIII. Utilities Numbering within sections of the Unified Development Code shall be adjusted in tandem to include the amendments within this ordinance. Section 3 Amendment. The City of Scandia Unified Development Code (“Development Code”, or “Code”), Section 153.400.020 Subd. 3, shall be amended by adding the underlined text and deleting the stricken text as follows: (I) Major Subdivisions. Any subdivision that results in four or more lots shall meet or exceed the following: Streets. All lots shall have access from a local street. No access shall be permitted to any lot from a street designated as an arterial or collector. Streets shall be designed and located in such a manner as to: Page 2 of 3 i. Maintain and preserve natural topography, groundcover, significant landmarks, historic barns, and trees; ii. Minimize cut and fill; iii. Preserve and enhance both internal and external views and vistas; iv. Promote road safety; v. Ensure adequate access for fire and rescue vehicles; and vi. Ensure and promote adequate vehicular circulation both within the development and with adjacent neighborhoods. The design of streets and the dedication of right-of-way shall be in compliance with the city's current engineering design standards and specifications as may be amended. Alignments of streets shall be consistent with the Local Roadway Gap Areas map in the adopted Comprehensive Plan and shall be subject to review by the City. Stormwater Management a. Subdivisions shall be designed to minimize the number of stormwater management facilities required. b. Stormwater management facilities shall be located near and be accessible from public right-of-way where practicable. i. Any stormwater management facilities that are not accessible from public right-of-way, must include a narrative describing a management plan. ii. A development agreement may be required anywhere stormwater management facilities are not accessible from public right-of-way c. All stormwater management facilities including emergency overflow pathways shall be located within drainage and utility easements and shall not promote surface flow outside of its respective easement. d. Emergency overflows from stormwater management facilities shall be directed away from adjacent properties towards public right-of-way or public drainage systems to the fullest extent practicable. e. Stormwater treatment standards shall meet or exceed those outlined in the relevant Watershed District stormwater management standards and/or the Minnesota NPDES permit conditions, whichever is more stringent. Section 4 Amendment. The remainder of the code. Numbering within sections of the Unified Development Code shall be adjusted in tandem to include the amendments within this ordinance. Page 3 of 3 Section 5 Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its adoption and publication. Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Scandia this ____ day of _________ 2025. Steve Kronmiller, Mayor ATTEST: Kyle Morell, City Administrator CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 03-18-25-03 APPROVING FINDINGS OF FACT FOR ORDINANCE 2025-03 A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT WHEREAS, through the course of reviewing land use and planning applications, the City of Scandia has identified a need for additional standards for large subdivisions that create more traffic and have greater need of stormwater management systems; and WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed a draft ordinance regarding major subdivision standards at the December 17, 2024, meeting and recommended the draft ordinance to the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed a draft Ordinance 2025-03, regarding major subdivision design standards, held a public hearing on February 4, 2025, and tabled the ordinance with direction for amendments and further research to staff; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed a draft Ordinance 2025-03, regarding major subdivision design standards for street and stormwater, on March 4, 2025, and recommended approval of the ordinance, and tabled the discussion for standards regarding buffers, soil analysis, septic design, building pads, and landscaping; and WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed Ordinance 2025-03, major subdivision design standards for street and stormwater, on March 18. 2024; and WHEREAS, the City took public input on Ordinance 2025-03, regarding zoning standards for cannabis and hemp businesses, on February 4, 2025, at a duly called public hearing; and WHEREAS, the City of Scandia has proposed to amend the Unified Development Code Chapter 153.400.020 Subd. 3 Minimum Design Standards; and WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted an Ordinance 2025-03 amending the Unified Development Code; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does support the request for an amendment to the Unified Development Code. Whereupon, said Resolution is hereby declared adopted on this 18th day of March 2025. ____________________________ Steve Kronmiller, Mayor ATTEST: Kyle Morell, City Administrator CITY OF SCANDIA RESOLUTION NO. 03-18-25-04 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA, PROVIDING FOR THE SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-03, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCANDIA UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 153.400.020 REGARDING STREET AND STORMWATER STANDARDS IN MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS WHEREAS, On March 18, 2025, at a meeting of the Scandia City Council, by majority vote, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-03 which amends the Scandia Unified Development Code regarding major subdivision streets and stormwater; and WHEREAS, State law requires that all ordinances adopted be published prior to becoming effective; and WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Scandia has determined that publication of the title and a summary of Ordinance No. 2025-03 would clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of the Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Scandia has reviewed the summary of Ordinance No. 2025-03 attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Scandia has determined that the text of the summary clearly informs the public of the intent and effect of Ordinance No. 2025-03. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council for the City of Scandia hereby: 1. Approves the text of the summary of Ordinance No. 2025-03 attached as Exhibit A. 2. Directs the City Clerk to post a copy of the entire text of Ordinance No. 2025-03 in all public locations designated by the City Council. 3. Directs the City Clerk to publish the summary in the City’s legal newspaper within ten days. 4. Directs the City Clerk to file the executed Ordinance upon the books and records of the City along with proof of publication. Dated this 18th day of March 2025 ____________________ Steve Kronmiller, Mayor ATTEST: Kyle Morell, City Administrator Exhibit A Ordinance Summary SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-03, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCANDIA UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 153.400.020 REGARDING STREET AND STORMWATER STANDARDS IN MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS On March 18, 2025, at a meeting of the Scandia City Council, by majority vote, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-03 which amends the Scandia Unified Development Code provisions regarding major subdivision streets and stormwater by: • Establishing that a Major Subdivision is a subdivision of four lots or more. • Establishing a section for Major Subdivision Design Standards. • Correcting errors in 153.400.020. • Establishing standards for streets and stormwater management standards for Major Subdivisions. A printed copy of the Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at City Hall or by standard or electronic mail.