5K - Rezoning from Forestry to Agriculture

Home Browse Search

Commercial and Light Industrial zones. The zone may also be compatible with other zones in areas where forest stands exist. �. 3. Lot,Use,and Density Requirements: Lot Width—feet,minimum.....................................................................300 Total Lot Area—acres,minimum...............................................................io Staff Findings: The Staff provides the following findings of fact for consideration by the Planning Commission: 1. Approximately over 90%of the 8o acre parcel is heavily wooded. 2. The proposed rezoning to Agriculture is consistent with the City's Future Land Use Map, which designates these parcels as Agricultural. 3. The proposed rezoning to Agriculture is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which states that "inner forests are unique physical features that contribute to scenic beauty, north woods character, timber production, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities. Once gone, they cannot be replaced. They need to be protected from encroaching development." 4. Rezoning to the Forest Management District zone provides for greater consistency with the Comprehensive Plan,than does the Future Land Use Map designation which guides the property for Agriculture. 5. The subject property is surrounded by properties that have been rezoned to a combination of zones, yet a consistent mature tree stand surrounds land use on all 4 sides of the property, except for partial clearings for access&power lines and a slightly larger clear cut area to the east. 6. The adjoining property to the west has been rezoned to Forest Management District zone and similarly does not contain structural improvements to the property. From an aerial perspective,these two parcels are very similar in nature,with the exception of the power line easement that clipped the northeast corner of the parcel. This consistency supports the same zoning classification to Forest Management. 7. The land to the east is proposed to be rezoned to Rural Residential, yet will likely maintain significant preservation of mature tree stands on two 20 acre attached parcels, even with the clear cut swath that runs east and west through the property, due to the enhanced value of these mature tree stands for residential properties.A greater emphasis on preservation of these mature stands will serve to protect and maintain the existing and future values for surrounding properties. 8. The Forest Management Zone is compatible with the Agriculture, Rural Residential, Transition Residential,Commercial,and Light Industrial zones. 9. The property was zoned Forestry under the previous Ordinance, which required a minimum lot size of io acres.The Agriculture zone has a minimum lot size of 20 acres, while the Forest Management zone has a minimum lot size of io acres. Therefore, the rezoning to Agriculture would be a down-zoning from the previous zoning classification. Rezoning to Forest Management would, however, maintain a consistent lot size requirement for the property, with the additional requirements for management plans for cutting. io.The property,with the exception of the corner cut off parcels for the easements,meet the minimum lot size for both the Agriculture and Forest Management zones,being roughly 4o acres in size each. Planning Commission Direction: The Planning Commission can recommend that the City Council approve,deny,or table this rezoning. City of Pequot Lakes Staff Report 12-3 May 18,2Oo6