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Two thirds of a meeting at North Branch City Hall last week, that exceeded three hours,  was dedicated to a preliminary plat and planned unit development (PUD) approvals for a 120-acre housing project;   expected to be phased in over the next eight or nine years.  The city council previously held a meeting to review the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (story Press October 21) It was explained that the earlier session generated  suggestions that were worked into this latest plan and the city continues to meet with the developer on cost sharing for local road improvements needs.  Mayor Kevin Schieber said the comprehensive plan itself, and other auxiliary zoning issues, need continued conversation.  These will require future meetings and the session last week was just to act on specific Meadows Ridge plat requests.

The council was advised by city zoning administrator Nate Sondrol that the project meets permitted uses and the area (west of the freeway, north of County Market) is basically zoned for residential.  The council unanimously gave the preliminary design the green light.

Sondrol said he spoke with  school district officials on concerns expressed about classroom space for the anticipated new families and he was told North Branch  enrollment is down about 1,000 students from a high point a few years ago, so there is no worry about accommodating students.  He. added the build-out is happening over several years so not all homes get occupied overnight.

In other business council agreed with the planning commission and denied an after-the-fact application for permission to keep a storage shed on a lot at Greenwich Court.  The city has an underground stormwater pipe that lies beneath the shed and if the property owners had come to city hall for a “site locate permit” for the small project this would have been pointed out.  There were additional findings that supported the denial— like the shed violates property line and house setback minimums.

The action by council granted the owners six months to address getting rid of the cement slab and for shed relocation elsewhere on the lot to take place.  The timeframe is flexible, should the applicants be putting an effort into the resolution,  and can be revisited.

HOLIDAY HOURS

Hours for city hall at Christmastime were approved for holiday schedules, that have historically been implemented in North Branch.

December 26, 27 and 30 the doors will open at 8 a.m. close at noon and phones are not being answered at all.  This has proven to be a productive operations change where end of the year tasks can be completed and n improved work/life balance provided for staff.

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