Agenda - Council - 12/09/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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manner. It is my responsibility to keep and maintain the property to the standards of the area. Those standards are rapidly changing with the development in the area of Ramsey Town Center and the 'townhouse development at Ramsey Blvd. and Highway 10. In addition, the rapidly expanding population base and subsequent boom in development citywide requires that this property be upgraded so as not to be a community eyesore. The Moratorium Ordinance has caused the properties involved to be unmarketable at reasonable values; in fact my discussions with the county assessor suggest that the property has been devalued by the Moratorium by upwards of 20% if it were to be sold today. Therefore the only option is to hang on to the property, maintain and operate it for the next 8-15 years until the Highway is done. The trick in this case is to only do that which is necessary to be a valued part of the community without adding significantly to the eventual_ acquisition cost to the community when the time comes. Without the exception I would be unfairly penalized, sacrificed if you will, for the good of the community when the eventual cost to the community would not have changed. These changes do not have an economic life expectancy past the usable life of the property, therefore they should be allowed and my rights as the taxpayer and property owner should be preserved. 3. That the granting of the exception will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other property in the area in which the property is situated. Granting this exception will in no way be detrimental to the public welfare. In fact it will enhance the value and perception of the City to residents and visitors with the addition of a name brand retailer and the added "street appeal" of the property brought on by the upgrading of the property. At the same time it will add little or no real value to the eventual acquisition cost of the property by the city for the common good of the community when Highway 10 is improved in connection with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Metro Division 2005 - 2025 Transportation System Plan, Metropolitan Council's Transportation Policy Plan. Granting this exception will not be injurious to any other property in the area. In fact it will enhance the "street appeal" of the neighbors by virtue of the same reasons outlined above. 4. That the proposed exception will be harmonious with and in accordance with the specific objectives of the City's existing Comprehensive ,Plan and will not adversely affect the planning process for adoption of amendments to the Comprehensive ]>lan above described. The improvements to the property fit within the objectives of the Comprehensive use plan and do not in any way affect the planning process in regards to adoption of possible amendments in the future. The use of this property is within the guidelines outlined by the Comprehensive Plan for the highest and best use of this property as a harmonious caretaker use until the Highway 10 expansion is implemented. 5. That the proposed use/subdivision will be consistent with the intent and purpose of this Ordinance.