Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/18/2013 - Special

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Former Municipal Center Future Land Uses [Updated] Primary Contact: Patrick Brama (DbramaPci.ramsev.mn.us; 763-433-9903) In 2006, the City relocated the Ramsey Municipal Center from 15153 Nowthen Blvd NW to 7550 Sunwood Dr NW. The former location still operates as Fire Station #2. The City has been exploring options for future use of this campus and relocation of Fire Station #2. To assist in the analysis of acceptable land uses for this campus for future development, an Open House has been scheduled for Thursday, April 18' from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers (7550 Sunwood Dr NW). The Open House will explore options for single-family and data center users. Multiple smaller group stations, with full size maps and ability for written comments, will be available from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. A brief presentation will be presented, with ability for large group comment, from 7:00 to 7:30 (or until comments are complete). Small group stations will re -convene following the presentation and comment period. The Open House was held as scheduled despite weather concerns. Staff continues to compile results and comments from that Open House and presented preliminary findings to the City Council on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. Based on the results of that open house, Staff will presenting the detailed results to the Planning Commission, EDA, and City Council in May prior to taking any further steps. It is at this stage that Staff will discuss future direction, if any direction is desired at this time. Staff has updated the Planning Commission (5/2/13) and the EDA (5/16/13) on the status of the project. Staff presented a case to discuss possible next steps at the June 11, 2013 City Council Meeting. The City Council directed Staff to re-engage the surrounding public through a collaborative process utilizing a task force to continue to review options for the site. A more detailed work plan and task force setup will be forwarded to City Council for review, potentially on June 25, 2013. [Updated June 13, 2013] Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) Update for The COR [Newj In 2003, an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) was prepared for the development formerly known as Ramsey Town Center, now known as The COR. The AUAR is an environmental review process that is an alternative to the standard, required environmental review for certain sized project. This alternative is a proactive, rather than individual reactive review, of the development as a whole as opposed to review with each individual project. Minnesota Rules guiding the length of time this review is valid requires that the City update this document if is to be used for current environmental review purposes. In addition, the preferred development alternative has changed from the original preparation. On May 28, 2013, the City Council 'ordered' the AUAR, which sent the completed update for an official review process. The comment period ended on June 12, 2013. Staff received comments from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Staff will now complete the final draft, including submitted comments, and distribute for final review. It is anticipated that the City Council will consider adopting the final document on July 9, 2013. [Updated June 13, 2013). Potential Sign Overlay District for Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Area [Newj As part of the public review process for the Armstrong Interchange, several comments from commercial (retail) property owners discussed concern with loss of visibility to their business due to the height of the interchange. It was discussed as a potential solution to increase the allowable height for properties surrounding the interchange. One property owner has requested that the City consider implementing a zoning solution as soon as possible, to ensure when construction does begin, a tool is already in place to allow additional height. The Planning Commission briefly discussed the request to begin a process on June 6, 2013, and directed Staff to begin the process of establishing an Overlay District related to signs adjacent to the Armstrong Boulevard Interchange. [Updated June 13, 2013]