Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 07/11/2013

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Staff has scheduled a Stakeholder/Property Owner Meeting with owners of commercial/retail property in the area for Wednesday, June 5, 2013. The intent of the meeting is to outline options (land use and economic development related) for Property Owners and discuss a unified vision for the future of the current retail node. Staff will provide an update to the Planning Commission, EDA, and City Council following the Stakeholder Meeting. Staff held a Stakeholder Meeting on June 5, 2013. Staff will forward feedback from said meeting in the near future. [Updated June 6, 2013] Former Municipal Center Future Land Uses [Updated] Primary Contact: Patrick Brama (Dbramaftci.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. Staff met to discuss possible alternatives for the new public process, and anticipates bringing forward alternatives for consideration to the July 9, 2013 City Council Meeting. [Updated June 20, 2013] Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) Update for The COR [Updated] 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.