Agenda - Council - 12/14/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

central to the Ramsey population base, connected through a strong pedestrian trail or sidewalk system, easily accessible by the automobile and visible to the shopper's eye. The COR is intended to receive a mix of land uses including: • Civic places where people can gather or events can be held (a park, community center, library or history museum). • Commercial /retail where people can take care of casual everyday shopping or sit down at a local restaurant (grocery, hardware, restaurant, or hair salon). • Professional Offices /places to work or take care of everyday business (real estate, banking, accounting, legal services and local post office). • High- density residential /places to live including senior housing (owner and renter occupied). By mixing high density residential with civic, commercial and office uses, a vibrant The COR can be created where life goes on all day and into the evening. Housing is located within walking distance to jobs and shopping. Sidewalks and trails link neighborhoods to the COR and link civic facilities with commercial and housing facilities creating a pedestrian oriented environment within the The COR. Civic places are well lit and aesthetically pleasing, inviting the public into a defined public space. Buildings are well designed and areas of landscaping reflect the identity of strong natural features in the Ramsey Community. These characteristics create the The COR of Ramsey's future. An important decision will need to be made in the future about whether to construct a new bridge over the Mississippi River and what alignment it should follow. This potential connection will have a significant impact on the future of the Mixed -Use site because a future bridge corridor will likely alter traffic patterns in this general area. If a bridge is constructed near the Mixed -Use site, Ramsey must be able to influence the design of the roadways so that the Mixed -Use area can survive and benefit. However, should a bridge crossing not be constructed, the Mixed Use area must be designed to function on existing surrounding land use patterns. Furthermore, if development of this area should come to fruition prior to the establishment of a definitive alignment for a future bridge that crosses the Mississippi River, the City of Ramsey should work with Anoka County and MnDOT to ensure a future alignment to satisfy local and regional needs. Careful design and planning for the Mixed -Use site can offer a wonderful image to Ramsey that will serve residents, workers and travelers using Highway 10. The location along the BNSF Railroad Tracks is highly visible from Highway 10 and demands high quality design. Specific standards and design elements for The COR area have been developed through amendments to the Zoning Code, the creation of a zoning overlay district and adoption of The COR design guidelines. Mixed Use Area — South of Highway 10: Another area of mixed use is located south of Highway 10 just east of Mississippi West Regional Park. The intended mixed -use pattern on this location is to provide opportunity for higher density housing integrated with commercial uses which are supported by both the higher density housing and the traffic from Highway 10.