4A - Rezoning from Forestry to Agriculture, Georges

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0. 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 previous Ordinance states the requirements for the Forestry District: i. 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 use, to establish and maintain timber resources and health, 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 Lot Area—acres,minimum........................................................................10 Section 5.5 of the Ordinance states the requirements for the Agriculture Zone: i. 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 these 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 5.6 of the Ordinance states the requirements for the Rural Residential Zone: 1. Purpose and Intent: To provide a zoning classification that allows for low-density residential development. Development in this zone is without municipal utility service and with only limited demand for accessibility. Rural Residential zoning should be used to preserve rural character. 2. Compatibility: The Rural Residential zone is compatible with and can be established adjacent to Forest Management and Agriculture zones, but may not be completely surrounded by these zones. The Rural Residential zone must be adjacent to land zoned Rural Residential, Transition Residential, Light Industrial, or Commercial. The Rural Residential zone may be established next to the Shoreland Residential or the Water Resource zone. 3. Lot,Use,and Density Requirements: Lot Width—feet,minimum.....................................................................200 Buildable Lot Area—acres,minimum..........................................................5 Staff Findings: The Staff provides the following findings of fact for consideration by the Planning Commission: 1. The rezoning to Agriculture is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map, which designates this area as an agricultural area. The property is designated as Agriculture because it is a large, undeveloped tract of land, it is not served by municipal utilities and less than 50%of the property is wooded. 2. The rezoning to Rural Residential does not conform to the Future Land Use Map. It technically does not conflict with the Land Use Ordinance as it abuts other Rural Residentially zoned property,but that property itself is a spot zone that was created so as to lessen an existing non-conformity. City of Pequot Lakes Staff Report 1-2 Apri120,2006