By MaryHelen Swanson

A heavy agenda at the North Branch City Council meeting Monday night, July 10, kept the councilmembers going to 10:30 p.m.

Many issues were decided, a few unanimously, many by 3-2 votes.

Two 3-2 votes came on the request of NKF Properties, Inc., for a minor subdivision plan and a site plan approval for the old Lamperts Lumber site on Main Street.

The minor subdivision is for two lots. The site plan is for the westerly lot and the construction of an office-type building known as Midtown Commons 3.

As the council will be considering a moratorium on building and business improvements in the Downtown Business District, Councilwoman Amy Oehlers attempted to postpone action on these two requests until July 24 after the discussion on a moratorium.

Her motion failed.

Oehlers and Councilwoman Theresa Furman voted against the approvals.

Oehlers would have liked the developer to work more closely with the city on their proposed project.

With little discussion, the council approved (4-1) a rezoning request for Sandstone Hills Development Co., LLC.

But there appeared to be reluctance by the council to approved a preliminary plat and planned unit development (PUD) /conditional use permit for the same developers.

For a long time no one would make a motion. Finally, Mayor Gloria Karsky made the motion herself.

Councilwoman Kathy Blomquist was interested in having the developer work with the city to include some workforce (affordable) housing in the development.

ìIf weíre going to sell homes in this city we have to do something about prices,î Blomquist said.

Blomquist and Furman were concerned with the tree preservation plan. It was noted that the developer plans to remove up to 75 percent of the old trees and replace them. Some of the trees are pines planted in a wind row. If one row is removed, developer Terry Miller said, the remaining are not pleasant to look at with bare branches. Other trees are box elders.

Much discussion centered on setbacks. The developers asked for 25-foot setbacks for about 25 of the homes. The design of the project is a ìcoveî plan with homes staggered close to the street and farther back.

City staff had issues with the 25-foot setback as the cityís regulation is 30 feet.

Miller said the 30-foot setback would cause him to have to redo the plat to a more conventional grid pattern and it would increase the density.

The proposed development is on property southeast of 400th Street and Grand Avenue. The rezoning is from R3, high density residential, to R2, medium density residential.

The preliminary plat and PUD is for the development of 117 single-family units, 143 bayhome/villa homes and four outlots.

After considerable discussion, two more conditions were added to the 9 recommended by the cityís planning commission: to have the developer provide a more detailed tree preservation plan, including types of trees for replacement, and that the developer work with the city to consider the affordable houses. The council also gave in on the 30-foot setbacks when Miller said heíd see to it that there was a three-car garage on those lots with the 25-foot setbacks. ìLetís try it and see what happens,î he said.

Oehlers, who was the dissenting vote on the rezoning request, was joined by Furman in opposing the preliminary plat and PUD.

Furman had a concern for traffic congestion on Hemingway.

City Administrator Joe Lynch reminded the council that there would be some financial responsibility to the city if affordable housing was included in the project.

More serious discussion came on the suggestion to change minimum lot size in the rural residential district.

At a March 20 planning commission meeting, a public hearing was held at which a number of people felt the city should go back to 1-acre lot requirements that were allowed prior to the consolidation of Branch and North Branch. But the PC recommended no change at its June 19 meeting.

Councilman Larry Erickson did make a motion Monday night to change to 1-acre lots. There was no second to his motion.

He then moved to go with 2-acre lots, Furman seconded it, but withdrew her second.

Finally, after more discussion, Erickson moved to go with 2.5-acre lots, all upland and buildable, in the area outside the 20-year growth district in the rural residential areas.

Mayor Karsky seconded the motion and it passed 3-2 with Blomquist and Oehlers opposed.

Blomquist said it was because the action was not tied to the transfer of development rights, and Oehlers was not comfortable with 2.5-acre lots, saying 5-acres lots would be better.

City planning director Alan Cottingham noted that there are approximately 4,359 acres in upland area in the RR District. City staff had recommended no change in lot size. Currently in this area the lot size is 10 acres.

In other business, the council:

ï The Downtown Revitalization Committee was given authority to seek bids to hire a firm to design and assist in the planning of a revitalized downtown area.

ï Approved a change order for the utility and roadway project in the Prairie Parkway (ESSBY) area. In order to meet the timeframe for construction of the countyís Health and Human Services building in the commercial area of this project, is it necessary to add the utility and roadway construction to the Cherokee Avenue/Fletcher Avenue project. By approving the change order, the county project can be substantially completed this construction season, City Engineer Julie Dresel noted.

The additional cost to the contract with Gustafson Excavating, Inc. is $152,976. The revised contract with the company is now $747,574.

ï Appointed Donald Swanson to the planning commission to fill the remainder of Joel Corbinís term which will expire Dec. 31, 2007. Swanson is a 37-year resident of North Branch and a retired electrical contractor. Planning commission members receive a per diem of $20 per meeting. Others who applied include Lindsay Webster, Randy Larson and Chad Bistodeau.

ï Accepted a petition requesting paving of streets in North Branch Oaks first and second additions and approved calling for a feasibility study.

ï Approved the purchase of a leaf vac truck at a cost of $118,215 from Virginia Truck Center.

ï Agreed to hold a worksession at 6 p.m., before the regular 7 p.m. July 24 meeting. An update on the I-35 bridge progress is expected at that session.

ï After hearing from the Sno-drifters in May about their desire to improve the old Branch City Hall where they hold their meetings, the city agreed to raze the building due to mold and lack of utilities, suggested that the snowmobile club use the meeting room at the new library, which they agreed to, and has agreed to allow the club to store the trail groomer in a storage building on the Williams property behind the new fire hall.

ï Adopted a resolution amending the resolution for the Series 2004B Bond.

ï On a 4-1 vote, adopted a Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan. Included in this plan is authority to have the city start the process to institute a Stormwater Trunk Fee. Developers will be expected to meet the design parameters for surface water management. The Plan also calls for expanding the collection area for Stormwater Utility Fees. Administrator Lynch stressed that the plan has no fees attached to it. City Engineer Dresel noted that it is a planning document. Councilwoman Furman opposed.

ï Approved (4-1) the rezoning request of G&K Builders for Plat 6 located at 38179 Hemingway Ave. The rezoning is from RR (rural residential) to R1, single-family residential. A preliminary plat was unanimously approved also for seven single-family units and one transitional lot. One lot contains an existing home.