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Tim Engen of Ramsey Town Center, LLC stated the changes made so far are fine. He noted the <br />experience at the Excelsior and Grand project in St. Louis Park is that some commercial space <br />turned out to be residential and vice versa. He expressed flexibility is needed. He stated he <br />thinks as they plan the Ramsey Town Center they will have fun rather than difficulty making <br />decisions on what is wanted. He indicated the greatest mix of commercial will be in the >15 <br />units per acre areas, where a developer can get as much for a condo as they can for a retail lease. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt noted in TC-4C there is no maximum, and they are relying on the maximum to <br />be determined by the city services, height and unit size limitations. He asked if they knew what <br />the maximum could be using those measures. <br /> <br />Consultant Gordon stated theoretically, about 60. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt indicated that was with a 600 to 700 square foot minimum size, but realistically <br />units are about 1100, so they would be looking at 35 units per acre right in the core. <br /> <br />Consultant Gordon continued his review of the changes. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson asked if they were going to insist on putting a zoning district for the <br />parks, which he does not feel is necessary, is there any reason to have the phrase 'minimum 10% <br />of the gross acreage of the Town Center shall consist of open space'. He asked if the 10% is <br />what is anticipated for parks, or if they anticipate using parkland for other things besides open <br />space. <br /> <br />Consultant Gordon stated they do not really need this district, however they are trying to make <br />things happen here, so they are using different language. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson indicated he understands it for the sub-districts, but does not see the <br />point for parks. <br /> <br />Commissioner Reeves stated they do not allow museums, cultural centers or essential public <br />buildings in most parks. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson agreed that they are using this to make sure they save some parkland for <br />open park space. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt asked what the total acreage was for the parks. <br /> <br />Principal Planner Trudgeon stated it was about 67 acres now, with 38 required, so they are about <br />75% over. He added some of this language was developed last summer before they knew exactly <br />what was proposed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson commented that the parks would be dedicated, so he does not know why <br />they need this now. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/July 10, 2003 <br /> Page 15 of 21 <br /> <br /> <br />