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CASE #: I <br /> <br /> REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS <br />FOR A SENIOR HOUSING FACILITY; CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY AND ANOKA <br />COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY <br /> By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As you know, the City is working in conjunction with the Anoka County Housing and <br />Redevelopment Authority to develop a 50 unit senior housing faciIity on Dysprosium Street, <br />across the street from the City water tower. The City Code establishes a maximum height <br />structure of 35 feet based on the reach capability of Fire Department equipment. The proposed <br />structure is 3-stories high and will exceed the 35 foot height restriction. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The City Code def'mes building height as the measurement from the mean ground level to the <br />uppermost point of the roof. The mean ground level at the facility will be 874.5 feet and the <br />highest point of the roof is 919.0 feet; this calculates out to a 9.25 foot encroachment of the 35 <br />foot height restriction. <br /> <br />The Fire Chief indicates that the maximum reach capability of the Fire Department for fire <br />suppression and rescue operations is 38 feet. Concern is expressed relating to the possible need <br />to evacuate persons of limited physical ability and agility down an extension ladder, and the <br />impairment of fire suppression activities resulting from equipment that cannot reach the roof line. <br />Ramsey does have a joint powers agreement with the Anoka and Andover Fire Departments for <br />emergency assistance and those departments do have aerial ladder tracks with reach capabilities <br />in excess of 80 feet. The Fire Chief also notes that an aerial ladder truck is in Ramsey's 2005 <br />capital equipment plan and that acquisition schedule should be escalated. <br /> <br />The architect indicates that the distance from the mean ground level to the third story window <br />heads is 29.5 feet and 24.5 feet to the sills. <br /> <br />According to the Uniform Building Code, all dwelling units and public areas of the building will <br />have to be equipped with a fire suppression system (automatic sprinkler system). <br /> <br />The following items are enclosed for your information: <br /> <br />a) <br />b) <br />o) <br />d) <br />e) <br /> <br />Site location map <br />Modified building exterior elevations with height measurements <br />Memo from Fire Chief Dean Kapler dated August 25, 1998 <br />Proposed Findings of Fact <br />Proposed Variance <br /> <br /> <br />