Council rezones land and approves preliminary PUD/plat for Cliffs Anderson Acres subdivision

The East Bethel City Council on Sept. 8 approved three related actions for a 20.35-acre property proposed for a three-lot subdivision called Cliffs Anderson Acres. The council adopted Ordinance 2025-04 to rezone the parcel to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay and adopted Resolution 2025-53 approving the PUD preliminary plan and preliminary plat. Shareco Construction sought the rezoning, PUD overlay and preliminary plat to create three lots of roughly 6.5 acres each, with homes and septic areas meeting city setback standards. Staff noted the parcel lies within the Significant Natural Environmental Area (SNEA) overlay but found limited environmental impacts because homes would be built on bare agricultural land and only a small number of trees would be removed for driveway access. The project meets the city's lot-area and width standards and does not request any PUD flexibility; staff found it consistent with the comprehensive plan and PUD standards. Anoka County Highway Department and the city engineer provided comments that were included as conditions for final plat submittal. The planning commission held a public hearing Aug. 26 and voted unanimously to recommend approval. Councilmembers asked about density standards and park-fee payments; staff explained the comprehensive-plan density standard of 1 unit per 10 acres applies citywide as an average and that park fees for the project total $6,000 (currently $2,000 per lot under existing fees). The council approved the ordinance and resolution by voice vote.