Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/01/2013

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Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) Update for The COR [No Update] 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. On June 19, 2013, the City also received advisory comments from the Metropolitan Council. These comments will also be incorporated into the final document, still tentatively scheduled for City Council consideration on July 9, 2013. [Updated June 20, 2013). Potential Sign Overlay District for Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Area [No Update] 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] July Planning Commission [No Update] The regularly scheduled Planning Commission for July would normally be July 4, 2013. As City Offices are closed that day, the meeting has been officially re -scheduled for July 18, 2013. Cases tentatively include the following: 1. Consider Request for Sketch Plan Review of Oakwood Acres; Case of Oakwood Land Development a. The request is to create three (3) new buildable lots along the re -aligned 167' Avenue, west of Nowthen Boulevard. 2. Consider Request for Site Plan Review for Expansion of Diamond Graphics Facility Located at 14350 Azurite St NW; Case of Diamond Graphics, Inc. 3. Consider Ordinance to Amend Official Zoning Map to Establish Sign Overlay District Adjacent to Intersection of U.S. Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard to Address Sign Height for Future Interchange Area; Case of the City of Ramsey Detailed Report Information For more information regarding the project listed above, please contact the Tim Gladhill at 763-576-4308 or visit www.citvoframsev.com/planning-division.