Agenda - Council - 04/25/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Bulow stated there are approximately five acres proposed for apartments, and this will probably grow because of the private street layout. He reiterated that the development is good as it would take away the original zoning on the property, and the development would be tiered with commercial, high density residential and low density residential. He said he had been able to work well w/th staff and they have been very helpful. Chairman Anderson asked the City Engineer for a review of the traffic study that was part of the packet. City Engineer fankowsld stated he had not had time to review the information. Community Development Director Frolik stated the information had only been delivered at 5:00 p.m. that afternoon. Chairman Anderson stated the applicant had jumped through a number of hoops, and had gone through a public hearing and heard the public input. The City Council has held discussions on this item and traffic studies have been done. He stated he was concerned about the Planning Commission's ability to discuss this item properly and look at issues, so he said he would take the time to do so at this meeting. He said he saw three major issues with the proposed development. They are street configuration, issues with the apartment portion of the PUD, and the larger issue of traffic. As for the street configuration, he commented that the City should be looking at larger issues related to the configuration. He noted the neighboring subdivision left two dead end streets (Barium and Argon), and he viewed future dead end streets as a problem. He said dead end streets cause concerns over emergency vehicle access and snow plowing, and it limits access to new subdivisions. He questioned why a new subdivision should have to take care of problems that are a result of old subdivisions. He said he would like to hear from the Public Works Director on this item. Chairman Anderson discussed the apartments proposed wi~ the PUD. He said the plan for the apartments is vague, and most of the density has been shoved to the piece of land the City knows the least about. He noted that 168 units on five acres is high, and Mr. Bulow does not intend to develop the apartments. There is also very limited access for high density apartments. He went on to say that the PUD should speak to these issues or the City will lose control over them. He noted he had a lack of confidence in the study that was performed, and he would like to be able to spend some time with Mr. Johnson to understand the original study that was based on the high level of senior occupancy. He noted the total area has real traffic problems, and he would like to look at the possibility of meeting with Mr. Johnson and the Commission to review these issues without interruption. He would like to look at the effect of lower density in the apartments. He said he would like to see these issues addressed before moving ahead with this item. Commissioner Johnson asked staff if the proposed number of apartments is extraordinary. Community Development Director Frolik stated it was not out of the ordinary, and there are not that many apartments in Ramsey, but when compared to Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park, the proposal is not extraordinary. Planning Commission/April 4, 2000 Page 5 of 12 i 226 ! I' I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I