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Case #7: <br /> <br />Request for Exception from Development Moratorium; Case of Ron <br />Touchette <br /> <br />Community Development Director Frolik stated that the north side of Highway #10 lying south <br />of BNSF Railroad and extending from Ramsey's border with Anoka, west to the vicinity of <br />Puma Street, is currently under a development moratorium during the preparation of the <br />Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The City engaged the services of The <br />Tinklenberg Group to draft an AUAR in response to MnDOT's T.H. #10 Corridor Management <br />Plan, which reflects that the proposed alignment for a six-lane freeway system through Ramsey <br />requires shifting the corridor to the north. The moratorium was implemented on August 25, <br />2003, and will expire on February 25, 2003. The moratorium ordinance provides for exceptions <br />when compliance may result in undue hardship. The City has received a written request from <br />Mr. Ron Touchette. He is the owner of the property located at 7127 Highway #10 NW. The <br />property is currently occupied by a multi-tenant building housing a liquor store and an auto body <br />shop. There is also a lawful, non-conforming, two-unit dwelling on the property and a detached <br />garage. Mr. Touchette is proposing to remodel the liquor store to facilitate a new tenant, MGM <br />Wine and Spirits. The remodeling consists of a 912 square foot addition to the west wall of the <br />building to accommodate product coolers, the addition of a 168 square foot separated entrance at <br />the front door to the store, and some new fagade treatments. Mr. Touchette's written request for <br />an exception to the moratorium addresses each point of the 'exception' criteria contained in <br />Ordinance #03-27. Mr. Touchette has stated that the current condition of the building is such <br />that the proposed upgades are necessary to achieve economic viability necessary for proper <br />maintenance of the property. Staff recommended granting the moratorium exception to Mr. Ron <br />Touchette. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that his concern is one of precedent setting if they are going to be <br />adding value to the property. He questioned if there was a way they could enter into some <br />language that would state that the improvements made to the property are non-reimbursable. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich replied that the City has done that in past with other projects. He also <br />noted that the City is working on drafting an ordinance to address that very issue so it would <br />seem reasonable to place that language in the development agreement. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Frolik noted that the plan does comply with the proposed <br />ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig inquired if it was possible to adopt the ordinance before approving Mr. <br />Touchette's request. <br /> <br />Ron Touchette, 7127 Highway #10 NW, Ramsey, explained that the current lease for the <br />building expired in September and they have working since that time to resolve the issues and <br />upgrade the property in order to receive some economic' profit. They are looking to increase the <br />use of retail space and decrease the amount of automotive use. MGM Wine and Spirits needs to <br />complete the change during their down time so they can be operating in April. <br /> <br />P58 <br /> <br />City Council/December 9, 2003 <br /> Page 10 of 21 <br /> <br /> <br />