Agenda - Council - 01/09/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-20- Presentation Community Development Director Frolik stated that the Anoka County Community Action Program is in the process of acquiring property from the City of Ramsey to do a multi-family rental housing project. The property is located on the west side of T.H. #47 at the intersection of Sunwood Drive NW. The project site is approximately 11.3 acres in size. ACCAP is proposing to develop seven two-unit townhomes, three four-unit townhomes, and a four-plex on the site. .Nine acres of the I 1 acre site is currently zoned R-3 Urban Residential for multi-family housing; the remaining two acres adjacent to T.H. #47 is zoned R-1 Urban Residential. A rezoning of that two acres is required to accommodate the development proposal. The December 21, 1999 Comprehensive Plan identifies this property for development with high density housing, currently established in the draft Comprehensive Plan with a maximum densitY of seven units per acre. The proposed gross density in the ACCAP project is 2.8 units per acre. Citizen Input Robert West, 14740 Argon Street NW, Ramsey, stated that he moved to Ramsey to get away from multi-family housing. He explained that he moved into his neighborhood thinking that the property on the west side of T.H. #47 would be developed into single family homes because all of the development surrounding it is single family housing. He stated that he was very much opposed to the development. Chairperson Nixt stated that there used to be a strip of single family homes along T.H. #47 prior to the improvement of the highway and inquired as to how long the land behind those homes has been zoned high density. Community Development Director Frolik replied since 1989. John Ross, 14861 Argon Street NW, Ramsey, stated that the residents in the area are opposed to the development, they would like to see the property developed into single family homes. He stated that he is not opposed to having multi-family dwellings in the City, but the planning should be such that a development is not forced on the residents. If this development goes through, the majority of the neighbors will be moving. Jeff Johnson, ACCAP, stated that he would be willing to meet with the neighbors that are concerned about the development. He explained that ACCAP did have eight meetings with neighbors regarding the development and many of the neighbors on the west side of Sunwood Drive have signed a petition accepting the development. He also noted that there will be additional meetings with the residents to discuss architectural and landscaping issues. During those neighborhood meetings, several concerns were addressed and ACCAP has agreed to several conditions, one being that the rear of the townhomes be constructed to look more like a front of a home rather than the back of a townhome. Planning Commission/November 6, 2000 Page 14 of 21