2. Attachment A g
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MEMORANDUM
To: City Council and Reference: Development Code Update
Planning Commission Approach and Key Issues
Copies To: Anne Hurlburt, City Administrator
Proj. No.: 14600.000
From: Sherri Buss, RLA Routing:
Date: November 24, 2009
BACKGROUND:
The City recently adopted its new Comprehensive Plan. The plan includes a new land use map for the City,
identifies new zoning districts, and proposes changes to the standards for existing districts and to the City's
performance standards that regulate development. The City now needs to update its Development Code to
be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Minnesota Statutes Section 473.865 requires that local
governments update their codes to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan within nine months of
adoption of the plan. The code update will also provide an opportunity to update the document to reflect
incorporation as a City, by eliminating references to New Scandia Township and to the County's
Development Code.
The key steps in the process to update the Development Code will include the following:
• Draft new and updated sections of the Development Code
• Public Hearing on the updated Code at a Planning Commission meeting
• Council adoption of the updated Code
WHO NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED
The Development Code is a lengthy document that has not been updated for a long time. A large number of
changes are needed based on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The update will require a signficant amount of
effort. The City Administrator and Planner will develop drafts and options for the new and amended
sections of the Code, and facilitate discussions. The City's Planning Commission and Council need to
understand the proposed updates to the code and participate in development of the updated Code. The
Planning Commission will recommend, and the Council adopt, the updated Code.
Options for development of the updated code include:
1) The Planning Commission and Council jointly meet as the group to work with staff to complete
development of the updated Code
2) The Council appoints a Task Force or Commission that includes members of the Planning
Commission and Council (and may include other members) to work with staff to complete the
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Development Code Update Page 2 November 24, 2009
Scandia, Minnesota
updated Code. This option would require periodic meetings with the Planning Commission and
Council to update them on the process and products.
Option I would require fewer meetings overall, and therefore probably have a shorter schedule and lower
cost.
SUGGESTED WORK PLAN TO UPDATE THE CODE—TWO PHASE PROCESS
The Development Code is divided into three chapters:
1. Administration Chapter
• Purpose and Definitions
• Administrator Duties
• Peiiiiits
• Nonconformities
• Amendments and Enforcement
2. Zoning Regulations
• Zoning Map
• District Requirements
• Development Standards
3. Subdivision Regulations
• Administrative and Platting Procedures
• Development and Design Standards
The City Administrator and Planner have discussed the potential approach and responsibilities for this effort,
and in order to use the City's available resources most efficiently, are proposing a two-phase work plan to
complete the Code update.
Phase 1 would be completed in 2010. Phase II would be completed in the future, as time as resources
are available.
Phase I would include updating the following:
• Administrative Chapter
• Zoning Chapter
o Zoning map
o Methods for subdividing land and densities
o Zoning districts, including the purpose, uses, and lot dimensions and other requirements
o Development Standards — environmental standards only in Phase I, including standards for
storm water management, grading, erosion and sediment control, wetlands, tree preservation
to meet Watershed District and Comprehensive Plan requirements
o New Mining Overlay District
o Open Space Subdivisions
o PUD
• Subdivision Chapter
Development Code Update Page 3 November 24, 2009
Scandia, Minnesota
Phase II Tasks:
• Zoning Chapter
o Development Standards accessory structures, storage, fences, lighting, parking, screening
and landscaping, signs
o Standards for Uses
o Revisions to Shoreland and St. Croix Corridor Overlay Districts
Roles and Responsibilities
• The City Administrator will update the Administration Chapter. The update will be completed
simultaneously with the updates to the Zoning and Subdivision ordinances. The Administrator will
develop a draft for review, discussion and approval by the Planning Commission and Council.
• The City Planner will review the Comprehensive Plan and identify the changes needed to update the
Zoning Map, Zoning District requirements and standards, and environmental standards. The Planner
will develop drafts and facilitate discussions to develop and approve the Development Code updates.
• The City Administrator and Planner will work together to develop the updated sections of the
Subdivision Chapter, based on updates completed to the Administration and Zoning Chapters.
KEY ISSUES TO BEGIN THE PROCESS—DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR DECEMBER 2
We will begin the first tasks to update the Development Code at the meeting on December 2. The
December 2 discussion will include a discussion of the process to update the code, who should be involved,
and the items listed below:
• Discuss development approaches that will be allowed in the City
o Discuss which development approaches are needed to accomplish the goals in the
Comprehensive Plan. Existing and proposed development options are described on a chart
included in this packet, and include the following:
• Conventional subdivision
• Lot averaging
• Density transfer
• Open Space Conservation Subdivision
• Planned Unit Development (PUD)
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)
o Discuss where will these development approaches be allowed (which districts)
• Discuss the existing and proposed Zoning Districts and Overlay Zones
o Review the Land Use Map adopted in the Comprehensive Plan
o Compare the current districts, uses and standards with those proposed in the comprehensive
plan (see attached handout)