The city adopted a comprehensive plan almost two years ago and one of the goals of the plan was to provide for public improvements at the expense of those that benefited from them rather than the city footing the bill through property taxes. Doing this requires property owners to pay for improvements through assessments or if a developer establishes a subdivision the improvements become their responsibility.
When the city provides for a subdivision the process is defined by the subdivision ordinance. The ordinance the city had been using was adequate in a number of ways but also inadequate in others. More particularly in those areas where improvements were required to get a surety they would be installed on a timely basis. In addition the city has many lots that are unable to be built on due to size, served by adequate roadways and meeting other standards of zoning.
Having issues with the past has surfaced with a change in philosophy towards the subdivision of land. A subdivision ordinance that was more in keeping with the times and the responsibility of the developer was needed. Accomplishing that goal was the job of the Planning Commission in working through a new subdivision ordinance.
The commission spent about one and a half years going through the ordinance, a section at a time. This process involved policy questions and final outcomes being considered. Standards were established. Timelines were reconsidered. The commission also changed the review process to provide that the final decision for preliminary plats became a council decision. They also established the parameters of a development agreement, giving those who want to develop a better understanding of what is expected.
After this work the ordinance was fine tuned with grammar and formatting. It was then recommended to council after calling a public hearing to address any concerns of the public.
The council approved and adopted this ordinance at the July 2nd meeting. Any new subdivisions within the City of Breezy Point will need to comply with the revised subdivision ordinance requirements for development as well as have the developer responsible under a strengthen development agreement.
