04B - Rezoning from Forestry to Agriculture

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N. Prevention of spot zoning. �-- O. Conformance to the City of Pequot Lakes Comprehensive Plan. P. Conformance to the City of Pequot Lakes Future Land Use Map and any other official maps of the City. Division 40 of the old Ordinance states requirements for the Forestry District 1. Purpose and Intent:This district is established for the purpose of efficiently using land to conserve forest resources through the management of land for forest, woodland, or plantation uses, to establish and maintain timber resources and healthy, well-balanced forests, to protect the natural environment, and to preserve undeveloped areas and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. 2. Lot,Use and Density Requirements. Lot Width-feet,minimum........................................................................300 Total Lot Area-acres,minimum.................................................................10 Section 5.5 of the Ordinance states requirements for the Agriculture Zone 1. Purpose and Intent: To provide a zoning classification for the preservation of family farms and small-scale agricultural uses and to allow for low density residential development compatible with those uses. Development patterns are characterized as very low-density residential without municipal utility service and with only limited demand for accessibility. Agriculture zoning should be used to preserve rural character. 2. Compatibility: Agriculture zones would generally be compatible with and can be established next to Forest Management, Rural Residential, Transition Residential, Commercial and Light Industrial zones. 3. Lot, Use and Density Requirements. Lot Width-feet,minimum........................................................................500 Total Lot Area-acres,minimum.................................................................20 Section 5.10 of the Ordinance states requirements for the Commercial Zone 1. Purpose and Intent: To provide a zoning classification for commercial uses oriented around the automobile. Parcels are larger than in the Downtown Mixed-Use zone in order to provide on-site parking, on-site stormwater facilities as well as on-site water supply and sewage treatment where municipal utilities are not immediately available. 2. Compatibility: The Commercial zone should be established as a transition zone between the Downtown Mixed-Use zone or the Light Industrial Zone and the surrounding residential zones. The zone may not be established in an area where it is completely surrounded by residential zones. 3. Lot,Use and Density Requirements. Lot Width-feet,minimum........................................................................500 Buildable Lot Area—square feet,minimum,unsewered...................20,000 Staff Findings: The Staff proposes the following findings of fact for the Planning Commission's consideration: i. The rezoning to Agriculture is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map.The Future Land Use Map designates this parcel for agriculture use. 2. The rezoning to Commercial is not consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map which does not extend commercial uses down to this point, but rather restricts commercial uses to areas further north. 3. The parcel is bordered to the north and south by property that the City has proposed to rezone to Forest Management. 4. The parcel is bordered to the north by property proposed to be rezoned Rural Residential. City of Pequot Lakes Staff Report 3-2 September 15,2005