Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/04/2011

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City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 5: Land Use the new hotel project south of Highway 10 near Sunfish Lake Boulevard and the Mississippi West Regional Park. Ramsey does not have much choice for local shopping, eating out or doing business within its own community. Ramsey has no identifiable downtown for its citizens. The downtowns of neighboring communities such as Elk River and Anoka and the many features of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area are the primary sources of entertainment for Ramsey residents. There is one grocery store in Ramsey, which is Coborn's at the western edge of The COR area near Armstrong Boulevard. The other commercial areas focus on special services like used car lots or recreational vehicle sales. The COR is meant to identify a place in the community where a variety of social activities may occur more convenient to Ramsey residents. Its location should take advantage of being central to the Ramsey population base, connected through a strong pedestrian trail or sidewalk system, easily accessible by the automobile and visible to the shopper's eye. The COR is intended to receive a mix of land uses including: • Civic places where people can gather or events can be held (a park, community center, library or history museum). • Commercial/retail where people can take care of casual everyday shopping or sit down at a local restaurant (grocery, hardware, restaurant, or hair salon). • Professional Offices/places to work or take care of everyday business (real estate, banking, accounting, legal services and local post office). • High -density residential/places to live including senior housing (owner and renter occupied). By mixing high density residential with civic, commercial and office uses, a vibrant core can be created where life goes on all day and into the evening. Housing is located within walking distance to jobs and shopping. Sidewalks and trails link neighborhoods to The COR and link civic facilities with commercial and housing facilities creating a pedestrian oriented environment within The COR. Civic places are well lit and aesthetically pleasing, inviting the public into a defined public space. Buildings are well designed and areas of landscaping reflect the identity of strong natural features in the Ramsey Community. These characteristics create The CORof Ramsey's future. An important decision will need to be made in the future about whether to construct a new bridge over the Mississippi River and what alignment it should follow. This potential connection will have a significant impact on the future of the Mixed -Use site because a future bridge corridor will likely alter traffic patterns in this general area. If a bridge is constructed near the Mixed -Use site, Ramsey must be able to influence the design of the roadways so that the Mixed -Use area can survive and benefit. However, should a bridge crossing not be constructed, the Mixed Use City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 5-31