Minutes - Council - 08/25/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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introduce Ordinance #15-14 an Ordinance Amending Section 117-90 "Map" of Chapter 117 of the City Code of Ramsey, Minnesota. Further discussion: Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that he appreciates the expansion of the business noting that this would also be an improvement to a blighted site. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Riley, Johns, Kuzma, LeTourneau, and Williams. Voting No: None. Abstained: Mayor Strommen. Absent: Councilmember Shryock. 7.03: Consider Policy Direction for Various Uses on Leased City Owned Land Located on U.S. Highway 10 Mayor Strommen rejoined the Council. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report and asked the Council to provide input on the policy, noting that there are three alternatives for the Council to consider within the staff report. Mayor Strommen stated that this is a fork in the road and believed that the Council needs to consider this as a larger policy issue. She noted the image issues in the Strategic Plan and stated that ultimately these properties were purchased for the intent of eliminating access points along the highway, although the timing of the highway project has not moved along as quickly as desired. Councilmember Riley asked if this property is part of the study and whether this site would continue to exist as a business in the full-blown corridor study. Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama stated that this section would be closed access in the long-term. Community Development Director Gladhill clarified that this area would eliminate businesses in the long-term plan. Councilmember Riley stated that the timeline is not known and in the meantime there is a great business that is growing and wants to remain in the City. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he was in the middle on this issue as this is a viable business that is growing and has potential. He stated that he is interested that the business is looking at other sites in the community for a permanent location and would like staff to continue to work with the business on relocating. He stated that it does not feel that the policy discussion would be resolved in the next year and; therefore, perhaps some interim steps should be developed and could be included in the lease, such as screening and buffering to soften the view from Highway 10. He stated that in regard to access and access points, perhaps the number of access points could be minimized along this property. He stated that he is not forgetting about the long-term goal but would like to allow the Council to work in a manner that works towards that goal while still allowing the land to be used for the business. City Council / August 25, 2015 Page 7 of 14