Agenda - Council - 03/08/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Motion by Com.~ssioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner Holland to recommend that City Council approve ~e revised preliminary plat for Chesmut Hill. Discussion: Cit3~ Engineer Jankowski stated there is a drainage and utility easement necessary on Lots 3 and 4 in[he northeast cul-de-sac. Commissioner Deemer stated he was in favor of the second curet to the north. Motion carried.i Voting Yes: Chairperson Bawden, Commissioners Deemer, Holland, Hendriksen, Terr~. and Thorud. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner LaDue. ~/'Case #2: R~quest for Sketch Plan Review of Townhouses of Rum River Hills; ease of Thomas Anderson and Wilbur Dom Zoning Administ ~ttor Frolik stated the development agreement entered into for Rum River Hills in 1984 specified ~ at Ouflot C was approved for development with multi-family housing at the time sewer and water' eeame available, but it did not specify to what density. She noted there are plans on file that indic ~te density was proposed at 5-10 units per acre for a total of 18 to 37 units. She stated that the de' ~elopers have submitted a sketch plan for Townhouses of Rum River Hills' which is proposed to rel~lat Lot 1, Block 2 and Ouflot C, Rum River Hills, into 12 townhouses lots. The 12 units would b~ served by individual on-site septic systems and wells. She stated City Staff is concerned that disregard of the 4 in 40 density policy commitment to the Metropolitan Council would jeopardiz~the City's on-going efforts for a MUSA expansion. She stated that Metropolitan Council feels it i~ inconsistent with the fimi~ag and sequencing of public facilities as indicated in Ramsey's Comp~hensive Plan. She added that Metropolitan Council is concerned about any pollution proble~ts resulting from development activity or inadequate management of private sewer facilities and woiald hold the City of Ramsey fully responsible. Based on these concerns, City Staff recommend~ denial of the proposal to plat townhouse units in Rum River Hills at this time. Applicant Wilb~ Dom stated that the development agreement is nine years old and this is the mil end of a 10 year l~roject. He explained that they agreed to build a golf course and construct roads, donate the golf cc~urse to the City making rates accessible to the citizens, and develop ouflot C with ~ownhouses whe~ sewer and water became available. He stated that the agreement states sanitary sewer and wate~i not City sewer and water. He stated they are abundantly aware that the neighbors do not ~vant condomirdums or apartments even though the property is already approved for multi-family ~nd that no variance is needed. He explained that as a compromise, they came up with townhomes like those in Ham Lake. This will cut back on the density from 36 units to 12 units. He stated ..omc neighbors indicated that this is highly preferable to waiting for sewer and water to come in and something less desirable is developed. He stated he sharply disagrees with City Administrat~F Schroeder and feels this was presented negatively to the Metropolitan Council. He stated the Met~'opolitan Council is very willing to work with this idea. He stated Mr. Schroeder has not discussed~this with the City lawyer nor has a soil study been done yet. He stated they are aware they can't glo ahead with the project until a sewer system is set up, but that the Planning and Zoning Commission needs to decide whether this is appropriate usage for this land at this point in history. He sugg ~sted the Commission consider the concept of ~ownhouses subject to certain proposed conditi~ as, thereby giving the City input into the design and size. He stated that once a sewer system is n place, the Commission could not-prevent a developer from coming in and building aparane: tts when the neighborhood prefers lower density. He requested the Commission give the concept a~ chance to go through a public hearing. Commissioner T~orud stated the Commission received a letter from Ronaid A. 3erich, dated February 20, 1995 stating he was not in favor of townhouses and that their real estate sign did not show the townhot~se layout when they were selling these other lots. Planning & Zoning Commission/4/6/93 Page 3 of $ Iai