Minutes - Council - 03/21/1995 - Public Hearing

Home

would coordinate with the City of Dayton. Mr. Hendfiksen reported that Mayor Hardin supports the east location as does Councilmember Beahen. Councilmembers Zimmerman and Beyer support the west location and Councilmember Peterson is undecided. Mr. Hendriksen suggested the residents voice their opinions to their elected officials. Mr. John Weaver, Vice President - Properties, for Viking Council, Boy Scouts of America, read a letter he wrote to Council expressing concern over the proposed public thoroughfare through the Rum River Boy Scout Camp, as shown on the proposed City of Ramsey Long Range Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Weaver presented some background information on the camp and referred to it as "a diamond quietly nestled in your rapidly growing city". He elaborated on how important scouting is to the youth and invited Council to visit the camp to see why "hands should be joined to preserve a treasure that is good for America and great for our precious young leaders of tomorrow". Mayor Hardin stated that the City has had a lot of discussion about that particular alignment and is considering removal of the bridge alignment in the area of the Boy Scout Camp. Carol Miller, 15916 St. Francis Boulevard N.W., Ramsey, expressed concern that the Andover crossing looks like it will be fight in front of her house. She realized the plan is probably 20 years down the road but would appreciate it being removed from in front of her house. Ms. Miller inquired what is involved with regard to the on-road trail system along Highway #47 as that also looks like it's going to be in front of her house. Parks/Utilities Coordinator Boos stated that the on-road trail is in the road right-of-way. We would not be taking any more property for it. It would basically be a 10' paved shoulder. On- road B trail is similar to what's in the Amber Ridge subdivision where additional road right-of-way is added on. James Martin, 3740 Lincoln Terrace Lane, Plymouth, read a letter he wrote to Council regarding 45.9 acres of land he owns situated on either side of the right-of-way between Highway #10 and the Mississippi River which was purchased as a future route to a proposed bridge over the fiver to Dayton. He stated he has been testifying before the Council for almost 20 years regarding this property and the acres of adjacent land which were purchased from him, under threat of condemnation, to be part of the adjacent regional park. He listed the three changes being contemplated in the mid-to-late 80's which are: The Anoka County Parks Department was seeking the permission of Ramsey to buy (or condemn) his total property to add to the regional park; the City Council was seeking a location for a river crossing into Dayton; and the Metropolitan Council was pressuring Ramsey to enlarge its minimum-sized unsewered residential development lot from 2.5 acres to 5.0 acres. Mr. Martin continued that, "unbeknown to me, the Ramsey City Council made a deal with the Anoka County Parks Department (Dave Torkelson) that they would acquire that part of my land for regional park shown on your maps today as regional park, based on two concessions: 1) That that part of my land which is now shown to be zoned B-3, Highway Business be left in my ownership so that it could be developed commercially in the future. 2) That the Anoka County Parks Department allow a U.S. #10 service road to cross its regional park from the Schwartzman property on the east to my property on the west. Mr. Torkelson, of Anoka county Parks Department, admitted this is an open meeting before the Ramsey Council (at a later date) where I was in attendance". Mr. Martin reported that about that same time, the Ramsey City Council approached him regarding his land being the site of a future fiver crossing. He explained that, at that time, he was in the process of platting his property before the deadline when 2.5-acre lots could no longer be platted. The plat was brought through the City hearing process at which time the Anoka County Parks Department and Mr. Martin came to agreement on their purchase of his land. Outlots B and E of Tooth Acres were purchased separately, a short time later, by Anoka County as future river crossing road right-of-way and are not part of the Parks Department ownership. He stated that in about 1990, his remaining 45.9 acres were rezoned to B-3 Highway Public Hearing/City Council/March 21, 1995 Page 4 of 10