Planning Commission recommends rezoning 19.38 acres on North Conifer Street to R-1-10

The Twin Cities Planning Commission voted 7-0 Wednesday to recommend that the city council reassign about 19.38 acres at 1405 North Conifer Street from R-R-5 to the R-1-10 residential zoning district.

The motion, moved by Commissioner Jensen and seconded by Commissioner Proctor, was based on the findings and conditions listed in the staff report dated Feb. 19, 2025. Commissioners Hammer, Proctor, Sloan, Hamilton, Jensen, Anderson and Chair Robinson voted in favor. The commission’s recommendation now goes to the city council for final action.

Ken Page, planning staff, told the commission the property is in the city’s northeast area and that the general plan calls for medium-density residential. “The city requires that a rezone needs to be adherence to the general plan’s land use,” Page said, explaining why the applicants amended their request to R-1-10 so the zoning would match the land-use designation.

During the public hearing resident Jill Johnston asked whether the proposal followed a required sequence — from R-R-5 to R-1 to R-1-10 — and expressed concern about future downzoning or intensification. Johnston asked, “Was it required to go from the R-R-5 acres to the 1 acre before we could get to the 10,000 square feet?” Page answered that the R-1 petition was not approved and that the applicants chose the R-1-10 to comply with the land-use map.

Applicant Brandon (Mr.) Ney said his original intent was to purchase a 3.64-acre parcel to place a single house and that two other landowners joined the rezone petition at staff’s suggestion. Ney said he does not currently plan development on the remaining acreage.

Commissioner Sloan said the R-1-10 request more closely matches the character of surrounding lots. The commission recorded a unanimous affirmative recommendation, 7-0.

The application number recorded in the motion was 2025010; conditions and findings are in the Feb. 19, 2025 staff report.