5. DensityZoningDraftOptionsPC3 4 144 PER 40 DENSITY—DRAFT OPTIONS March 4, 2014
Option 1: Revisions to Zoning Ordinance Chapter 2, Section 2 – Districts
Lot Area and Setback Requirements in the Agriculture District – Core (AG C).
Density 4 dwelling units per 40 acresbuildable lots per 40 acres
(original quarter-quarter section)
Minimum lot size Unless the parcel is part of an approved Open Space
Conservation Subdivision or Planned Unit
Development, lots shall be 2.0 to 5.0 acres, or 20 acres
or greater.
Minimum buildable area 1.0 acres
Minimum frontage on all
public roads
Lot size of 2.0 to 3.0 acres: 160 feet
Lot size greater than 3.0 acres and less than 4.0 acres:
240 feet
Lot size of 4.0 acres or greater: 300 feet
Maximum lot coverage 25%
Minimum Building
Setbacks:
Front 40 feet
Side 20 feet
Rear 50 feet
Minor Arterials 150 feet from centerline, or 75 feet from the right-of-
way, whichever is greater
Major or Minor Collectors 100 feet from centerline, or 50 feet from the right-of-
way, whichever is greater
Maximum Building Height 35 feet
(1) Lot Area and Setback Requirements in the General Rural District (GR).
Density 4 dwelling units per 40 acresbuildable lots per 40 acres
(original quarter-quarter section)
Minimum lot size 2.0 acres
Minimum buildable area 1.0 acres
Minimum frontage on all
public roads
Lot size of 2.0 to 3.0 acres: 160 feet
Lot size greater than 3.0 acres and less than 4.0 acres:
240 feet
Lot size of 4.0 acres or greater: 300 feet
Maximum lot coverage 25%
Minimum Building
Setbacks:
Front 40 feet
Side 20 feet
Rear 50 feet
Minor Arterials 150 feet from centerline, or 75 feet from the right-of-
way, whichever is greater
Major or Minor Collectors 100 feet from centerline, or 50 feet from the right-of-
way, whichever is greater
Maximum Building Height 35 feet
Option 2. Revisions to Chapter 2, Section 3.0 - Development Standards (could be done with
Option 1)
(1) General Setback, Lot Area and Building Regulations. All uses and structures shall be
subject to the regulations of the applicable zoning and overlay zoning districts and the
following additional requirements applicable in all districts:
(A) For determining maximum Density in zoning districts, the number of
buildable lots in each 40 acres (original quarter-quarter section) shall not
exceed the maximum number of dwelling units permitted by this Ordinance
in the 40 acres (original quarter-quarter section); except that a vacant, legal
nonconforming lot that meets the standards in Chapter 1, Section 13, Item
13.5 may be developed with a single-family detached dwelling unit if it
exceeds the maximum density. The Zoning Administrator shall determine the
density status of the 40 acre area that includes each proposed subdivision, and
shall inform the applicant and other property owners in the 40-acre area
regarding the impacts of the proposed subdivision on the density and
development status of all parcels in the 40-acre area in the hearing notice and
subdivision application review process.
(A)(B) Sloping or Erodible Building Sites. No structure shall be constructed on
sites with slopes of greater than twenty five percent (25%) or on easily
erodible soils as defined on the Washington County Soil Survey.
(B)(C) Permitted Encroachments into Required Setbacks. The following shall be
permitted encroachments into setback requirements:
1. flues, eaves and awnings up to three (3) feet in width;
2. steps, chimneys, sidewalks, and stoops up to three (3) feet in width;
3. exposed wheelchair ramps, bay windows and doors up to three (3) feet in
width.
(C)(D) Pipeline Easements. Structures shall be setback a minimum of 50 feet
from an underground pipeline easement.
(D)(E) Corner Lots. Nothing shall be placed or allowed to grow, with the
exception of seasonal crops, in such a manner as to materially impede vision
between a height of two and one half (2 ½) and ten (10) feet above the
centerline grades of the intersecting streets to a distance such that a clear line
of vision is possible of the intersecting street from a distance of 50 feet from
the intersection of the right of way lines.
(E)(F) Number of Structures. There shall be no more than one (1) principal
structure on any one (1) parcel of land, unless otherwise authorized by the
Development Code.
(F)(G) Height. No structure shall exceed the maximum height permitted for the
zoning district in which it is located, except for church spires, chimneys, flag
poles up to 45 feet in height, and wind generators. Wireless Communication
Facilities are regulated in accordance to Chapter Two, Section 4.36 of this
Development Code.
Option 3. Policy Option
CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 04-01-14-03
APPROVING A POLICY FOR INTERPRETING THE DENSITY
REQUIREMENTS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the policies in the Scandia Comprehensive Plan state that densities
in the Agricultural Core (AG C) and General Rural (GR) Zoning Districts shall meet the
Metropolitan Council policies of no more than 1 housing unit per 10 acres in the
Diversified Rural Area ; and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan
and requires maximum densities of 4 units per 40 acres in the AG C and GR Districts, but
also permits minimum lot sizes of 2.0 to 5.0 acres in the AG C District and minimum lot
sizes of 2.0 acres in the GR District; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the density and lots size
requirements in light of recent subdivision applications, and found that the Ordinance
permits the creation of more than 4 buildable lots within a 40-acre area (the original
quarter-quarter section), and that this may create confusion for the subdivider and other
parcel owners within the 40-acre area about whether some buildable lots may be
developed; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission proposes that landowners be fully
informed about the impacts of potential subdivision on their own property and other
parcels;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, WASHINGTON COUNTY,
MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does recommend to the City Council that
1. When an applicant for a subdivision contacts the City for information, the Zoning
Administrator shall review the density status of the 40-acre parcel (original quarter-
quarter section) that includes the parcel proposed for subdivision, and fully inform the
applicant about the current density status of the parcel, and potential impacts of
subdivision on future density and development.
2. For each subdivision application, the /Zoning Administrator shall inform the
applicant and other property owners in the 40-acre area regarding the impacts of the
proposed subdivision on the density and development status of all parcels in the 40-
acre area in the public hearing notice and subdivision application review process.
Adopted by the Scandia Planning Commission this 1st day of April, 2014.
______________________________
Christine Maefsky, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Kristina Handt, Administrator/Clerk