Posted 1/31/01 Feb. 13 is deadline for NB residents to apply for conservation subdivision subcommittee By MaryHelen Swanson A 10-12 person subcommittee is being formed in the city of North Branch to evaluate the existing conservation subdivision ordinance and come up with a new or revised ordinance. According to assistant planner Lisa Atkinson, the city does not now have authority over whatís preserved on land that falls within city limits outside of the North Branch Urban Service Area (NBUSA), and the city may want to have more control in this area. Also, up to now, the city has been getting bits and pieces of land preserved for recreational purposes and this is another area the subcommittee may study. In addition, now-permitted common septic systems are up for discussion as is the maximum gross density which currently allows eight dwelling units per 20 acres. Last August, the City Council adopted an interim ordinance repealing the current city conservation subdivision overlay district and placed a moratorium on conservation subdivisions or changes to the cityís NBUSA Boundary for a period of one year. The subcommittee now being formed will meet once or twice a month until a new or revised ordinance is completed and ready to be adopted by the city council. The interim ordinance expires in August so Atkinson thinks this committee should complete its work in July. The subcommittee will be made up of two councilmembers, two planning commission members, one or two park commissioners, two developers, and two members of the general public. All but the general public members have been confirmed, said Atkinson. The planning commission and council will officially appoint the committee members at February meetings. Interested citizens must submit a letter of interest no later than Feb. 13. The committeeís goals will include the following: ï review the existing conservation subdivision ordinance ï review the effectiveness of the existing subdivision ordinance and the impact of existing conservations and conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. ï learn about conservation subdivisions and other types of subdivisions in other communities ï evaluate potential changes to the current ordinance ï and make a recommendation for new or revised conservation subdivision ordinance to the planning commission and city council. Atkinson noted that the cities of Marine-on-the-St. Croix and Lake Elmo both have successful conservation subdivision ordinances and city staff has visited and talked to them for background and ideas. ©Post Review