Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/06/2014

Home

believed that the City's density goals and reduced surface parking would be achieved even if the FAR were slightly reduced. Commissioner VanScoy believed the original intention for The COR-1 would be changed if the FAR were amended. Chairperson Levine stated it was hard to visualize how the project would look with only preliminary site plans. Community Development Director Gladhill commented staff could report back to the Commission with more detailed plans. Commissioner Brauer suggested that the plans include a 0.75 and 0.65 FAR. Commissioner VanScoy questioned if the 0.65 FAR could be required until it was necessary to have a 0.75 FAR. Community Development Director Gladhill suggested the Commission move forward with a contingent recommendation while staff worked to create better artistic renditions on the site plans. He discussed how staff would continue to work to achieve the Commission's goals for The COR- 1. Commissioner Nosan reported there was a need for market rate apartments in Ramsey. She questioned why a ramp was necessary. Community Development Director Gladhill stated this was a previous policy decision, which required structured parking versus surface parking. If the density requirements were altered or reduced, this would negate the need for shared structured parking. He further discussed the land use goals for The COR-1 with the Commission. He asked if the Commission was comfortable moving forward with the amended FAR, which would reduce the requirements for structured parking. Commissioner Brauer questioned if the City would have gotten the rail station if the FAR were set at 0.65. However, now that the City had the station, it could step back and evaluate its density levels. Community Development Director Gladhill did not believe the City received funding based solely on the established FAR, but rather on the number of proposed housing units. Motion by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Nosan, to recommend that City Council adopt Ordinance #14-14 amending Minimum Floor Area Ratio requirements in the COR- 1 Sub -District, directing staff to bring back draft plans prior to final approval by the City Council. Further discussion Commissioner VanScoy did not support the proposed amendment to the FAR.