Laserfiche WebLink
(6) 167/47 Commercial Node <br />Staff has started planning an open meeting scheduled for January 16t at 6pm at City Hall in the <br />Lake Itasca room. An expectation of the meeting is to gather additional feedback based on the <br />"Statement of Goals" from area owners and the general public. Through discussing the Statement <br />of Goals at the January 16t meeting it is likely next steps and /or projects may be created to work <br />towards solving elements of the greater project. Staff has connected with numerous land owners; <br />general feedback comments include improving aesthetics, co- marketing and /or branding, and <br />securing more rooftops. <br />Update <br />On January 16 Staff hosted a community input session to assist in creating a "road map ", as <br />described above, to assist in reaching the main goal: To improve and /or remove blight from <br />properties of concern and encourage sustainable market - driven redevelopment of the 167/47 <br />Node that will benefit the entire City of Ramsey. Excellent feedback was provided on prioritizing <br />objectives to reach the common goal. Feedback was based on information gathered at previous <br />167/47 Node meetings. Prioritization of projects is as follows: <br />1. Rooftops: Additional rooftops are needed to sustain a retail node at 167t Ave and HWY 47. <br />This main project may include an analysis of rooftops needed to sustain X sq. ft. of retail — <br />can the project "work" is the first question to be answered. <br />2. Identity /Marketing: Create a more defined identity for the node which may include <br />aesthetic improvements, signage, a brand name, lighting consistency, landscaping, etc. <br />3. Safety /Transit: A safer and more easily accessed node may drive traffic; solutions may <br />include traffic lights, turn lanes, stop signs, etc. <br />4. Users /Vacancy Rate: Identify users that may compliment the area; suggestions include <br />utilizing our preferred broker to market to complimentary business (business that may <br />compliment Total Defense ?), talk to businesses in the node to gather perspective on <br />complimentary businesses, unified vacant space marketing, etc. <br />Staff will be seeking EDA direction to move forward with the proposed road map —costs may be <br />associated in carrying out the above projects. <br />( 7 ) <br />Future Business Park <br />The City held a public input session on December 12, 6:00 p.m. at the Ramsey Municipal Center <br />regarding a potential future land use change (i.e. allowing for a business park) on the Al Pearson <br />property and planning around that area and up to Armstrong. The feedback was welcomed and is <br />helpful for Staff in determining its future land use. General consensus of the attendees was to <br />create a mix of residential on the northern side of the Pearson property with commercial on the <br />southern side flowing into the Hageman property south of Bunker and transitioning to retail <br />towards Armstrong. The property owners have expressed thanks in being a part of the planning <br />process and were open to business park usage, with some caveats. With this feedback, Staff will <br />work internally to summarize the conversation more formally and offer suggestions based upon it <br />(i.e. a rough zoning map). Staff is working to collect basic information in regards to planning a <br />business park in that area -- information includes an analysis of estimated costs for infrastructure, <br />potential users /hot industries to cater the park towards, preferred broker insight, utility usage, etc. <br />Next steps: <br />• Meet with land owners to confirm interest and their requests; increasing staff clarity and <br />direction <br />• Sketch zoning adjustments on map; appropriate residential buffer zones, layout of <br />residential and business park <br />