Agenda - Council - 09/23/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

recommended for official mapping is shown in Exhibit 4: Recommended Area for TH 10 Corridor Official Mapping. This area consists of privately-owned parcels adjacent to TH 10's north side from approximately Armstrong Boulevard to the Ramsey-Anoka City Boundary, and bounded to the north by the BNSF Railroad. This land area stretches approximately 2.7 miles and comprises about 120 acres of land. The recommended official map can literally serve as a "blueprint" for further project development- even in the absence of funding to construct projects, as is now the case for a TH 10 freeway conversion. Official mapping for the purposes of identifying land needed for future public uses (including road improvement projects) is an important tool for establishing the intent to improve a highway. This action generally allows both the public agency and a private property owner to adjust their building plans equitably before either party makes substantial investments. Official mapping will also provide the basis to access programs and funds to preserve or protect land for future use as TH 10 right-of-way, including the potential use of the Right-of-Way Acquisition Loan Fund (RALF) program, administered by the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council. The RALF program is a revolving loan fund program where the Metropolitan Council lends money to municipalities that then enables municipalities to acquire right-of-way needed for future roadway construction. Mn/DOT is generally unable to purchase right-of-way for highway projects until the project is programmed and designed. Local units of government can officially map lands intended for highway right-of-way under Minnesota Statue.2 After an official map is adopted as an ordinance and recorded, requested building permits are subject to the official map. A building permit may be given under a temporary or interim use, however, buildings or structures built without a permit or that are in violation of the conditions of a permit, may be acquired by the city without compensation. Potential buyers and property owners within the area that has been officially mapped have advanced knowledge and information regarding future roadway improvements and the property that may be acquired for highway purposes. Current Moratorium and Other Right-of-Way Protection Tools--Prior to the formal establishment of an official map, Ramsey will consider shorter-term tools and procedures to protect TH 10 right-of-way. One step the City has already taken is approving a six-month moratorium for the land recommended for official mapping (see again, Exhibit 4). The moratorium began on August 25, 2003, and is scheduled to end on February 25, 2004. The purpose of this moratorium is to delay all new or expanded development while providing the City an opportunity to research and finalize other right-of-way preservation tools. In the near future, Ramsey also proposes to explore the possibility of rezoning to help preserve right-of-way in the recommended area, pending the formal adoption of an official map. This interim zoning could prohibit certain types of development, or require that any development receive approval from the local zoning agency. Finally, Mn/DOT has funds available for use in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area for access management projects. Access management projects can go ahead independently 2 See especially MN Statutes 394.361 and 462.359. RAMSEY TH 10 CORRIDOR AUAR 8