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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.gJuly 11, 2013 Item No. AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW POLICY July 15, 2013 City Council Meeting Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to adopt the attached Amendment to the Development Project Review Policy. Approval of this motion will result in the City's current policy being amended to state the City Council's willingness to schedule special meetings when it is determined to be crucial for the success of commercial and industrial development projects. Overview Consistent with the City's goal of continuous improvement to the Development Review process and also to make the City more competitive for economic development, it has been suggested that the City adopt a policy that indicates the City's willingness to consider holding special meetings in order to expedite the approval of the commercial and industrial development projects. The proposed amendment to the current Development Project Review Policy states the City Council will make every effort to expedite the schedule of commercial and industrial development projects and is willing to schedule special meetings if it is determined by the Council to be critical to the success of the project. The City Council reviewed the attached amendment to the Development Project Review Policy at the June 24, 2013 Council Work Session. (A copy of the Work Session minutes were included in this week's Council packet.) Staff recommends approval of the proposed policy amendment. Primary Issues to Consider What is the benefit of amending the current policy? It provides staff and the Council and commercial and industrial developers with a formal policy to address these types of situations. Supporting Information • Proposed Amended Development Project Review Policy David L. Olson, Community and Economic Development Director Financial Impact: $ None Budgeted: Y/N Source: DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEWS Policy 3.01 1) POLICY a) Subdivision and development within the City of Lakeville is a multi -phase process which begins with submission of a sketch or concept plan and then progresses through City approvals as the requirements of each stage have been met. The entire process is closely monitored to identify issues and solve any problems as they are realized as a means of reaching the best design and layout in the shortest feasible time frame. Applications will not be formally accepted or considered complete until all submission requirements have been met. b) Each phase requires submission of various information relative to the review and approval by necessary City departments, advisory committees and outside government agencies. A separate application must be filed for each phase of the development process using the City's application forms along with the required fees and escrow deposit. In cases where multiple planning applications are necessary, such requests may be handled simultaneously if each application meets City requirements. c) Regular development review meetings are held to enable City staff to review sketch plans and subdivision requirements prior to the completion of detailed development plans. All information submitted by the applicant will be reviewed and comments will be provided in a timely fashion. Lot requirements, setbacks, streets and utilities, landscaping requirements, parking and other pertinent City standards are discussed in detail during the development review meetings. 2) ROLE OF CITY STAFF a) Work with the applicant to guide and assist them through the development review process. b) Review all applications for consistency with City regulations and prepare project review letters and reports. c) Forward copies of staff reports and development plans to the City Council, Planning Commission and other miscellaneous committee members in advance of the meetings. d) Make presentations and recommendations on proposed developments. e) Answer questions related to compliance with ordinances and City policy requirements. 3) ROLE OF THE DEVELOPER a) Represent the proposed development and answer questions related to the project. b) Have technical staff (i.e. engineer, surveyor, landscape architect, forester) available to answer questions related to the proposed development. c) Insure staff review comments are addressed and resubmitted plans are completed as needed. 4) CITY COUNCIL, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS a) The City Council, Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee meet on the following schedule: i) The City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. ii) The Planning Commission meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. The Planning Commission conducts the public hearings that are required for most development applications. iii) The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. b) The developer will be required to appear before the City Council and the advisory committees during the review process to present their development plans. It is a City requirement that preliminary plats are reviewed by each of these bodies. Final plats are only reviewed by the City Council, unless the final plat is substantially different from the approved preliminary plat whereby the final plat will be referred to the Planning Commission and the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee. c) The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee and Planning Commission typically review development proposals during the same week, with the City Council reviewing the project approximately two weeks later. d) The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee recommendations on preliminary plats are forwarded to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council in conjunction with the Planning Commission recommendation. City staff will advise the developer of the dates and times of these meetings as part of the timeline discussed above. eJ_The City staff and developer roles at the City Council, Commission and Committee meetings vary from one another and each plays an important part in the presentation of the project, its review, and ultimate recommendation /decision by these groups. e} f) The City will make every effort to expedite the schedule of commercial and industrial development proiects including the option of scheduling special meetings of the City Council if it is determined to be critical to the success of the project and all necessary and required information, documents, and processes have been met.