Agenda - Council Work Session - 09/29/2009

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RELATED EXPERIENCE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RAMSEY, MINNESOTA In 2001 HKGi completed i3 comprehensive plan for the City of Ramsey. In developing the plan HKGi facilitated a community-wide public meeting to establish a community vision followed by a series of focus group meetings to identify and reach resolution on the key issues facing the community. Through the planning process, it became obvious that the community's strength lay in its wealth of natural features, including the Mississippi River on the south and the Rum River on the east. Through this plan, Ramsey realized a key opportunity to create better connections to the community and to preserve and manage its natural resources. In this plan, HKGi re- established a general greenway corridor concept that was originally proposed in a 1970S plan. Implementation strategies for the greenway corridor included development of an ordinance that utilizes such tools as transfer of development rights and cluster housing. The other approach uses site planning and PUD processes to ensure that park, trail and open space efforts are consistent with the greenway plan. The concept of a mixed-use, transit-oriented town center also emerged from this plan. The Ramsey Town Center project, which has since undergone additional planning phases and is currently under construction, represents one of the most-fully realized TaD projects in the Twin Cities. In 2004 HKGi was retained to update the Plan to help Ramsey accommodate continued rapid growth. I'acl<a - - ~C_ _ - 1OO31t:l<.i rv 1'R00000lID 0,... w..." - - Data was obtained from a variety of sources. Using GIS data to create overlays of various natural resources and land cover information, HKGI Identified Greenway areas that create a framework linking natural areas In the community with residential neighborhoods and the city's park system. lIKGi Page 14 - Park Design Services Citizens agree that preserving natural corridors such as Trott Brook is an important part of Ramsey's identity. The Highway 10 corridor and Mississippi River are key elements of Ramsey's identity. 1 The Ramsey Town Center initiative also emerged from the comprehensive planning process. The mixed- use concept is centered around a transit station and requires a specialized zoning code. HKGi revised Ramsey's zoning ordinance for the Town Center.