Revised PUD ordinance almost ready

BAXTER -- Baxter's revised planned unit development ordinance should be completed within a month.

The Baxter Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday recommended to the city council tabling the draft ordinance to allow staffers to finalize the ordinance.

The purpose of Baxter's proposed ordinance is to establish provisions for a planned unit development in which there is more than one principal building or use for a lot -- essentially cluster development -- as well as set standards for such developments.

Baxter placed a six-month moratorium on planned unit developments Nov. 16. Since that time the city has held several joint city council and commission PUD revision meetings.

With the moratorium expiring May 16, City Planner Greg Wagner suggested instead of making a recommendation on the draft ordinance at its May 10 meeting, the commission could hold a special meeting later in April. That, Wagner said, would allow the city council to consider the recommendation at its May 3 meeting, before the moratorium expires.

The commission didn't set a special meeting Tuesday.

Brainerd attorney Tom Fitzpatrick said the commission should recommend extending the moratorium for one month to make sure the ordinance is in place before the moratorium expires. Commission Chairman Bob Kinzel said the city council could make that decision at its meeting Tuesday.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.