Agenda - Council Work Session - 11/24/2009

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LOCATION EVALUATIONS . Additional Medium Density and High Density residential areas are available in the Ram- sey Town Center. There are also some smaller in-fill land areas that appear to be available adjacent to existing de- velopments. We do not highlight these areas. In general, we view that medium and high-density areas already developed would be appropriate for additional in-fill development if sufficient land and infrastructure capacities are available to support it. Some medium density sites are covered, in part, by wetlands. This will potentially reduce the number of units that may be accommodated on the properties, but will still result in a higher number of units than would be possible if the property were designated as low-density. All sites identified are within the 2030 MUSA. Locations outside of the MUSA are not desig- nated as medium or high density or as mixed use. The following paragraphs focus on the locations identified in the initial assessment completed in 2006 followed by commentary on remaining locations that have been identified for medium and high-density residential uses through the comprehensive plan process. Market Factors Associated with Medium- and High-Density Residential Development In general, medium and high-density residential developments attract the following market seg- ments: . First-time households (rental apartments) · First-time homebuyers (townhomes and condominiums) · Young and mid-age singles (rental apartments/townhomes and condominiums) · Single parents (rental apartments/townhomes and condominiums) · Empty-nesters and seniors (senior housing, townhomes and condominiums) In general, the desire for less maintenance attracts many households to medium and high-density housing. Families, in general, tend to prefer single-family homes, but if a single-family home is too expensive, households are likely to turn to a medium or high-density alternative that is af- fordable. Sites desirable for high-density residential development such as general occupancy rental apart- ments and senior housing generally share the following attributes: · Convenient access to major roadways . High visibility from major roadways . Convenient access to nearby neighborhood shopping . Convenient access to nearby public transit options Sites desirable for medium-density residential development share all of the above attributes, but the following factors are less critical in sighting medium-density developments: . High visibility from major roadways MAXFIELD RESEARCH INC.