Aitkin City Zoning Code
TRANSITION SUBDIVISIONS
§ 152.220 GENERAL.
Phased growth conservation subdivisions provide for residential development in rural areas that are on the fringe of existing development in a way that maintains or enhances the city’s character; retains large, undivided parcels of land that provide opportunities for rural uses and future development; protects environmental resources; facilitates the connection to and expansion of the public infrastructure system in a cost-effective manner; and minimizes the impacts of those road and utility systems through the efficient use of land. Phased growth conservation subdivision shall be completed through the platting process.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)
§ 152.221 APPLICABILITY.
The TS style of development is an alternative set of standards for development with the city for new development of ten acres or more contiguous to existing development.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)
§ 152.222 FUTURE GROWTH PARCEL.
(A) Each TS development shall contain a contiguous future growth parcel comprising a minimum of 75% of the land area to be subdivided.
(B) The future growth parcel may be owned by a corporation, land trust, individual, partnership or other legal entity.
(C) The following uses of the future growth parcel are permitted, subject to any land use limitations in the underlying zoning district:
(1) Residential (ten-acre minimum lot-size);
(2) Agriculture;
(3) Forestry; and
(4) Passive recreation.
(D) In order to retain large, undivided parcels of land that provide opportunities for future development, the future growth parcel shall, to the greatest extent possible, be a single contiguous parcel and shaped so as to facilitate the extension of roads and infrastructure for future development. The future growth parcel shall not include strips of land located between dwellings or along roadways.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)
§ 152.223 LOT DIMENSION AND SIZE CRITERIA.
(A) General. The TS property shall have access to city sewer systems at the time of subdivision, or shall be located in an area identified in the city’s capital improvement plan for sanitary sewer extension within the next two years. Any property located outside of this area shall not qualify for a subdivision of this type.
(B) Maximum dwelling unit density. As indicated in the provisions for the underlying Urban/Rural Transition Residential Zoning District as applied to the portion of the property to be developed.
(C) Minimum lot size, dimensions and setback standards. The development shall be subject to the buildable lot size, setback, impervious coverage and dimension requirements of the Urban Residential District, as contained in § 152.035 of this chapter.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)
§ 152.224 SUBDIVISION DESIGN.
(A) General. Proposed roadways shall extend existing roadways to the greatest extent possible, as well as provide for through access to future development. All proposed roadways shall meet the city’s adopted road standards.
(B) Ownership and maintenance of public space. Provision shall be made for the ownership and maintenance of streets, squares, parks, open space and other public spaces in a TS development by dedication to the city.
(C) Open space. Open space uses, as identified below, shall be incorporated into the TS development as deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission. Large outdoor recreation areas should be located at the periphery of neighborhoods rather than at central locations.
(1) Environmental corridors;
(2) Protected natural areas;
(3) Community parks;
(4) Streams, ponds, wetlands and other water bodies; and
(5) Storm water detention/retention facilities.
(D) Storm water management. The design and development of a TS subdivision should minimize off-site storm water runoff, promote on-site infiltration and minimize the discharge of pollutants to ground and surface water. Natural topography and existing land cover should be maintained and protected to the maximum extent practicable. New development and redevelopment shall meet the following requirements.
(1) Untreated, direct storm water discharges to wetlands or surface waters are prohibited.
(2) Post-development peak discharge rates should not exceed pre-development peak rates.
(3) Erosion and sediment controls shall be implemented to remove 80% of the average annual load of total suspended solids.
(4) All treatment systems or BMPs shall have operation and maintenance plans to ensure that systems function as designed. These plans shall be included in the application.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)
§ 152.225 APPLICATION PROCESS.
(A) The applicant shall submit all materials required for a subdivision, in addition to any materials that sufficiently show that the requirements contained herein will be met.
(B) The applicant shall also submit an application for a conditional use permit and show that all required criteria related to conditional uses have been met.
(C) Upon final approval of the development proposal, the developed portion of the property shall be rezoned to urban residential and thereafter follow the provisions of that zoning district.
(D) The future growth parcel may be retained as an outlot for future development, as open space, or as large-lot development subject to the provisions of the underlying Urban/Rural Transition Residential (TR) Zoning District.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)