Agenda - Council - 08/22/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~if residential lots,~which very slightly decreases the overall dlensity to somewhere in the area of one lot per seven acres. ~. The original proposal would have had a driving range situated ~in the southwesterly corner of the golf course, adjacent to Trunk ~ighway 47. However, the developers, in studying the matter more f~lly, realized the potential for such things as youth golf programs, which have been very successful at other area golf courses Because of the vast number of young people ~articipating in athletics in the Ramsey area, it is felt that ~!here is a vast source of recreational activity available to the ~outh of Ramsey, if proper facilities are provided. The original ~riving range along Trunk Highway 47 was not feasible because of ~ihe need to place high fences, and in order to protect oncoming t!raffic, and such a location would have been feasible only for ~ery limited usage. Because the golf course developers wished to Have a more vigorous program for a youth golfing program., a much ~ore adequate and well placed driving range is needed. Upon the rlecommendation of the golf course architect, the only feasible ~iocation without disturbing the integrity of the golf course ~esign, was to cut into approximately 3 1/2 acres of the ten acre ~iommercial parcel located on the westerly portion of the ~bdivision. Obviously, since these properties are in different ~nerships, and to make the entire project economically feasible, t!he provision of this extra recreational space of 3 1/2 acres n!eeds to be made up for in some other manner. Otherwise the ~roject is not economically feasible. It is for this reason that ~e requested the additional three lots. Quite frankly, the three aldditional lots will not make up for a loss of three and a half alcres of valuable commercial space upon which the driving range Wiill now be situated, but it will enable the project to be ~ompletedo It is also felt that by providing an adequate driving riange facility, a recreational opportunity can be made available ~io more of the residents of Ramsey, particularly in the youth ~olfing program which the developers very much want to establish. ~he ten acre commercial parcel would remain zoned in a commercial manner but three and a half acres would be used for a commercial ~riving range owned and operated by the golf course, and open to ~ihe public. Therefore, the degree to which the density of the ~iesidential use may have increased is more than balanced by the ~egree to which the commercial.density has decreased. It has gone flrom ten acres to only about six and a half acres, over a one- ~ihird reduction in this density. ~e feel that this substantial reduction more than justifies the alddition of three additional residential lots in the overall ~roject and respectfully request the approval of the city of amsey and the Metropolitan Council to this rather modest change. espectfully submitted, ~ilbur F. Do~n, Jr. I .I I !