Minutes - Council - 08/28/1989 - Special

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the City is in the process of obtaining an opinion from the Attorney General's office regarding whether or not land use issues can be affected by referendum. There is some case law that indicates that land use issues cannot be modified by referendum. Ralph Galarneault - Ramsey - Noted that with 4 in 40 zoning, the City is considering a 10 acre minimum lot size in the transition area; inquired as to what would happen when sewer is extended into the transition area. Mr. Hartley replied that the intent is for urban densities wherever urban services go. Richard Barstow - Ramsey - Noted that school taxes will increase to pay education costs for children living on those 1200 lots resulting from a 400 acre MUSA expansion. Developing at a density of 4 in 40 in the rural area defeats the City and County's desire for the development of through streets. Bruce Bacon - 7363 175th Avenue N.W. - Noted that there are a lot of special problems that come with owning larger lots. People cannot afford to take care of diseased tree problems on larger lots. There should be some economic incentive for the property owner to preserve open space. John Enstrom - 8702 181 st Avenue - Stated that Ramsey has basically done a good job and made some big strides in the past 15 years and now the rural section is going to be discriminated against and pay for water towers for which benefit will not be realized for 20- 40 years. Daryl Peterson - Ramsey - Inquired as to why Metro Council is not represented at this meeting. Daryl Peterson also stated that he cannot believe that Metro Council can force the 4 in 40 policy if City Council is against it and inquired as to the consequences if Ramsey refused. Councilmember Cich stated that he had requested that Metro Council be represented at this meeting. He suggested that people contact Representative Lynch, Senator Dahl, Govenor Perpich and Metro Council regarding Metro Council's game plan. Mr. Hartley stated that the MUSA expansion area that Ramsey requested and received would be rescinded if the 4 in 40 policy were not implemented. Council dealt with the issue and made the best decision they could and possibly the only decision they could and adopted a resolution stating their intent to implement 4 in 40 zoning. If Council does not follow through with their intent, it is probable there would be no further development of public utilities in Ramsey and likely very little development of road systems and infrastructure developed by other State agencies; it is also within the power of these State agencies to deny FHA loans on properties in Ramsey. Mr. Matusik - Inquired as to why Metro Council is not curbing growth in Coon Rapids and Blaine. Mr. Hartley replied that Blaine has implemented the 4 in 40 policy and is adhering to it; Coon Rapids is fully urbanized. Jake Barthold - Stated that the 1 in 10 density has been around for 10 years and the City should not give in to it now; the 4 in 40 policy is being implemented in the swampy areas City Council/August 28, 1989 Page 6 of 8