Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/16/1991 - Public Hearing @ 7:40

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Mr. Hadtrath inquired if a MnDOT study had been done regarding all the additional traffic that would be generated onto Highway #47. He added that it is difficult to get on to Highway #47 now with the present amount of traffic. Mr. Jankowski stated that the intersection at County Road #116 and Highway #47 is beyond its capacity right now; however, MnDOT is planning to add an extra lane in the year 1993. Commissioner Deemer stated that Highway #47 was four lanes wide in front of River's Bend Plaza because the developers of that property were mandated by this Commission to provide for that. When the State re-striped the road from four lanes and that's what causing the bottleneck. The the State changes the lanes back to how it was initially designed, the problem would be resolved. Chairman Zimmerman asked if the residents present were in favor of the rezoning to which they answered no. Mr. Hadtrath commented that one of the problems the City of Ramsey has is arbitrarily allowing for property to change zones midstream. Jay Wettlaufer, 5032 - 142nd Lane N.W., Ramsey - stated that B-1 has a heavier usage; however, the usage happens during the day. Changing from business use to a use where 90 families could live in one six acre area will cause more stress on the neighborhood. Mr. Hadtrath stated if you look at R-1 - follow the lot lines, there is no transition. You go from people who invest lots of money in single family homes to where the City allows someone to put up a stucco shack. Tom Roof, 14369 Waco Street N.W., Ramsey - stated this request would not be consistent with Ramsey where 10 acres is needed to build a house, etc. He stated the reason he was interested in this area because of its country-like setting. He stated he is not as concerned with his home being next to B-1 zoning as he would be if it were next to MR zoning. He stated a buffer is needed between Highway #47 and the houses. He added he strongly opposes multiple dwellings; tenants can move from the area but the homeowners have a vested interest in their property. Jeffrey Clayton, 14788 Xkimo Street N.W., Ramsey - stated he moved from a rental property area where there were a lot of burglaries and crime. He moved to Ramsey to get away from that sort of area. Bob Georges, 5164 - 147th Lane N.W., Ramsey - stated to simply rezone leaves things wide open. The jeopardy to the value of the property abutting the area is too great. There is a nice apartment building by Food and Fuel but there are no guarantees what would be developed here. He expressed opposition to having the zoning be wide open as the residents are concerned with the long term results if the developer is able to do anything he pleases. Ms. Frolik stated that the developer cannot do as he pleases. If the zoning is approved, he must appear before the Commission for approval of the site plan. He would have to put up financial guarantees and he is not allowed to put up anything he wants to. Mr. Hadtrath stated that with regard to R-1 versus MR, the problem seems to be with multiple dwellings. Rick Foster, one of the developers of River's Bend in 1984, stated that originally all the land was zoned Urban Multiple Business which allowed for a variety of businesses. In 1989, the City did a recodification and the property was rezoned to B- 1. He stated the developers did not know of the rezoning until they came in to present their fn'st sketch plan in February. He added he has "racked his brain" trying to work out a transition from River's Bend to Highway #47. With regard to Public Hearing/P&Z/September 16, 1991 Page 2 of 5