Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/15/2008

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();ti:4~ "A" April 4, 2008 To: Mayor Tom Gamec Ramsey City Council Ramsey Planning and Zoning Commission Ramsey Parks Commission City Administrator, Kurt Ulrich On March 13,2008, residents ' who own lake shore property surrounding Sunfish Lake were invited by Ramsey staff to meet with Mark Riverblood and your consultants, Brauer & Associates, to discuss options and ideas regarding undeveloped properties surrounding the shoreline. We were in attendance along with our neighbors Bob and Sharon Bruns. Mr Ben Deemer, who owns lakeshore on the southern portion of the lake, attended a meeting held later that evening regarding the same subject. When discussing the development of the Sunfish Lake Park, many items were brought up. Among them were options for trail ways along the shore line and throughout parts of the undevelpped property to the north of Sunfish Lake, also known as Thomaswood Farms. During the discussions your consultants quizzed us regarding our thoughts and feelings regarding, among other items, a possible land "swap" for lakeshore using landfill property located directly across Sunfish Lake Blvd. Weare not certain if Ramsey has ownership of that property and if so, if it is suitable for homes. Another suggestion put forth that evening was to allow higher densities during a future platting process in return for a lakeshore trail. During the meeting we said we might consider the proposals if, in deed, Ramsey could prove that land value west of Sunfish Lake Blvd and south of Alpine Park was sufficient to make up for the value of lake shore property lost to any future site plan. Also, the City Council and neighbors of our farm would have to come to an agreement regarding higher density. We are certain a higher end association maintained condominium community integrated with upper bracket single family homes is attainable. However, while that is an option, we feel that remaining with the single family residential zoning is more desirable to our neighbors and the community as a whole. We have had time to think about our discussions of that evening and have since come to a new conclusion on the subject. It is our plan to sell our home and farm in its entirety. Knowing the difficulties the above proposals could bring to negotiations of a sale, it is important that you are aware we are no longer interested in any type of "land/money" exchange.