Planning Report

Date:	March 20, 2001

Case:	R01-2

Subject:	Rezoning of Property at 2700 Linden Drive from B-1 to R3B.

Applicant:	City of New Brighton

Request & Background

To consider rezoning the property at 2700 Linden Dr. from B-1, Limited Business to R-3B, Medium Density Residential. The purpose of the request is to bring the site into compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan which calls for the future land use of this site to be Medium Density Residential. Medium density housing would typically be townhomes.

The Land Planning Act of 1995 states that a City's Comprehensive Plan supersedes the Zoning Ordinance, therefore, all properties must be rezoned to conform to the Comprehensive Plan.

On May 24, 2000, the Met Council reviewed and approved New Brighton's Plan, and subsequentially, the City Council officially adopted the Plan. The subject property is designated as medium density residential within the new Plan, therefore, the proposed rezoning is required as a result of the City's adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.

Findings

Section 8-310, Rezoning

Site Characteristics

1.	Location:	2700 Linden Drive

2.	Lot Size:	108,796 sq. ft.

3.	Topography:	Flat

4.	Vegetation:	Wooded

5.	Sensitive Areas:	None

6.	Existing Land Use:	Single Family Residential (rental)

7.	Comprehensive Plan Designation:	Medium Density Residential

8.	Zoning:	Existing: B-1, Limited Business

Proposed: R-3B, Medium Residential

9.	Surrounding Land Uses:

North:	Residential (R-2, Two Family Residential)

South:	Commercial (B-1, Limited Business)

East:	Commercial (B-3, General Business)

West:	Residential (Nursing Home)

Site History

1.	Past Uses:	Single Family Residential

2.	Historical Significance:	None

Staff Comments

Rezoning

In conjunction with the proposed rezoning, the Planning Commission and City Council may want to consider the following criteria:

1.	The proposed action has been considered in relation to the specific policies and provisions of and has been found to be consistent with the official City Comprehensive Plan.

The future land use plan, as contained within the Comprehensive Plan designates the subject site as Medium Density Residential. The existing use of the property (single family residential) will not have to change. Single Family Residential is allowed within the R-3B, Residential Zoning District. Under the current B-1 zoning designation of this site, the existing use is legal with a Special Use Permit.

A rezoning of the site brings the site into conformance with the comprehensive plan, which is required under the 1995 Land Planning Act.

The Comprehensive Plan defines Medium Density Residential as:

Medium-density residential areas are intended to accommodate densities in the range of 6 to 12-units per acre including such housing types as attached and detached townhomes, rowhouses, two-family dwellings, manufactured housing and apartments. These are primarily infill areas where medium density housing already exists and more can be anticipated. The intent will be to make these areas integral parts of the neighborhood rather than edges or buffers to it.

The zoning district which most closely relates to Medium Density Residential is R-3B, Medium Density Residential. Allowable uses in a R-3B district include, townhomes, two-family dwellings, and single family homes. (See attached zoning regulations.)

Based on the preceding information, a re-zoning of the property to R-3B is consistent with the comprehensive plan.

2.	The proposed zone is or will be compatible with present and future land uses of the area.

The proposed R-3B zone is compatable with current and planned land uses of the area. The surrounding uses are mainly residential and limited business. R-3B designations should not adversely effect the surrounding neighborhood.

3.	The proposed use can be accommodated with existing public services and will not overburden the City's service capacity.

Existing public utilities are all in place. The proposed zone will not overburden the City's service capacity (i.e., police, fire, utilities, etc.).

Recommendation

Approval

Motion to recommend approval of R01-2, rezoning the subject property from B-1, Limited Business to R-3B, Medium Density Residential.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of the rezoning. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan.

Mark Andrle, Community Development Specialist