Minutes - Council - 08/26/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and Councilmembers Strommen, Elvig, Cook, Kurak, Pearson, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #12: Request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment South of Highway #10; Case of City of Ramsey Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated that the 2001 Comprehensive Plan shows the property south of Highway 10, west of the wayside rest area, as Low Density Residential. At the May 1, 2003 Planning Commission meeting, City Staff brought forward the rezoning of these properties to comply with the Comprehensive Plan. During the Public Hearing, the property owners brought forward their concerns regarding changing their property to R-1 Residential zoning, suggesting that business was a better use of the Highway 10 property than residential. The Planning Commission tabled action on the rezoning and directed staff to forward the matter to the City Council for its consideration. The City Council reviewed the matter at their June 10, 2003 work session. After discussing possible appropriate uses for the property, the City Council directed staff to draft a comprehensive plan amendment to change the northern third of the properties to 'Places to Shop' and the southern portion to Low Density Residential. The Council indicated that residential uses were most appropriate directly on the Mississippi River, while commercial uses were more appropriate directly on Highway 10. The parcels are large enough to accommodate both types of development in the area. At the public hearing held on August 7, 2003, the Planning Commission heard different opinions from the property owners on what the land should be designated. One property owner, who has a residence on one of the parcels in question, would like to have the area remain designated as residential. Another property owner indicated that it should remain commercial, but seemed to find the commercial/residential split acceptable. A real estate broker representing a property owner requested that the whole area be designated commercial. Staff and Planning Commission recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the northern third of the five lots on Highway 10 from Low Density Residential to 'Places to Shop', while the southern two-thirds will remain Low Density Residential. However, due to the discussion at the August 7th Planning Commission, the City Council may want to designate these properties as mixed-use similar to the land north of the Rivenwick neighborhood south of Highway #10. Councilmember Kurak inquired if there was a development proposal for one of the properties. Community Development Director Frolik replied that there are discussions to build senior units along with commercial units along the Highway. Councilmember Kurak inquired if the amendments would stall their plans. Community Development Director Frolik replied no. Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to designate the area identified in the Case south of Highway #10 as mixed use. City Council/August 26, 2003 Page 17 of 25