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Ramsey Housing Committee (RHC) <br /> ~ Draft Minutes <br /> August 21, 2003 <br /> <br />Members Present: <br /> <br />Chair Keith Kiefer <br />Vice-Chair Susan Anderson <br />Suzanne Dvorak <br />Richard Kruger <br />Mary Jo Olson <br />Michelle Osterhus <br /> <br />Absent: Rick Thompson <br /> <br />Also Present: <br /> <br />Associate Planner Amy Geisler <br />Jason Beske, Heartland Brick Council <br /> <br />Chair Kiefer called the meeting to order. <br /> <br />Approval of minutes. Motion by Mary Jo Olson to approve the 7/17/03 meeting minutes, <br />Dick Kruger seconded, Suzanne Dvorak abstained, motion passed. <br /> <br />Approval of agenda. Motion by Vice Chair Anderson to approve the meeting agenda,~Dick <br />Krueger seconded, motion passed. <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />Architectural Standards Presentation. Jason Beske from the Heartland Brick Council <br />gave a presentation on architectural standards for residential development, specifically in <br />relation to masonry requirements. Mary Jo Olson asked whether there was a correlation <br />between design standards and income. Mr. Beske masonry requirements typically <br />increase costs 5~7%, which covers increased labor and materials costs. He added that this <br />increased cost is usually offset by higher property values. <br /> <br />Mary Jo Olson asked whether cities that are implementing masonry requirements are <br />typically using the requirements in multi-family and commercial districts. Mr. Beske <br />replied yes. Suzanne Dvorak suggested the Committee look at requiring masonry on <br />townhomes. There was discussion of the idea that developers and initial homeowners <br />don't have a long-term stake in the design of homes, but the community must live with a <br />design for the life of the structure. <br /> <br />Vice-Chair Anderson suggested that masonry requirements are just' one small part of <br />overall design quality. There was a discussion of the durability of brick. Mary Jo Olson <br />asked how often a brick home has to be tuckpointed. Mr. Beske said typically every 75- <br />100 years. <br /> <br />Mr. Beske reviewed the City's current R-2 and R-3 zoning standards, and said that <br />generally all materials are currently permitted. He showed photos o£multi-family and <br />commercial buildings with varying amounts of brick. Mary Jo Olson suggested requiring <br />front porches in new developments. Suzanne Dvorak suggested prohibiting garages on <br />the front of buildings on main thoroughfares. There was discussion of the Town Center <br />design standards. <br /> <br /> <br />