Agenda - Council - 11/27/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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P eNT OF TyF a o a hl4 HCH 3. IN REPLY REFER TO: United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Mississippi National River and Recreation Area 111 E. Kellogg Blvd., Ste. 105 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 -1256 L7621(MISS -RAM) November 1, 2007 City of Ramsey Planning Commission Ramsey Municipal, Center 7550 Sunwood Drive NW Ramsey, Minnesota 55303 Dear Commissioners: This letter concerns the proposal by the owners of Diamonds Sports Bar and Grill to conduct a variety of high- intensity events on the property at 7550 Highway 10. This property is immediately adjacent to the federal Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), a unit of the national park system administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The project area is likewise adjacent to the state Mississippi River Corridor. Critical Area, the state Mississippi Wild and Scenic River, and Anoka County's Mississippi West Regional Park. The Diamonds' property sits less than a half -mile from Cloquet and Foster Islands; and Dayton's Cloquet Overlook Park. This is an area of the river corridor that possesses exceptional scenic, natural resource and outdoor recreation value that merit special protection for the wildlife that inhabit the riverfront and the people that enjoy these resources each and every day. The NPS is particularly concerned with sound disturbances in the river corridor and within existing and planned regional park resources. It is our opinion that the sort of high- intensity uses proposed for the site — including motocross and snowmobile racing, demolition derby, and rodeo events - -is inconsistent with broader. for the iviiVi'�RA, nearby riverfront parks and public open spaces, and the river environment. Most concerning to us is the high volume and disturbing nature of the sounds produced by racing motor vehicles, public address systems, and live- or recorded music played over loudspeakers. We believe that individually and cumulatively, such conditions would significantly diminish public enjoyment of the river and riverfront public spaces. We also believe that such activity would have an adverse effect on wildlife, including the pair of active breeding eagles located very near this site. In addition to noise impacts, we are also concerned with the potential impact of additional lighting on nearby park and natural areas, though we have not yet had the chance to review lighting plans for this proposal. Thank you for considering our comments on this application. The National Park Service recommends denial of this request for an amended conditional use permit. We would also recommend denial of any similar permit or approval for motorized racing or exhibitions at this location, or for events or activities that would require a permanently installed public address -104-