Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/05/2004

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Ann Beckman, Met Council, explained that there would be an overall density requirement of three to five units per acre. She reviewed that language pertaining to that requirement. Ms. Haas Steffen stated that to make the issue more clear all development that has occurred since the time the City's Comprehensive Plan was adopted will be included in the density calculations. Councilmember Elvig noted that that was an important issue for the City Council. Councilmember Zimmerman questioned what message is requiring development of three to five units per acre sending to the Town Center developers and is it a really good idea to be developing in such a "leap frog" fashion. Ms. Haas Steffen replied that the City has developed in a "leap frog" fashion and they can't change that the only answer is to get the pipe through and let people decide if they want to hook up. Secondly the issue of what it states to the Town Center; she personally contacted the developers of the Town Center they were not upset by it at all. The City has laid some heavy expectations to develop commercial and retail before the housing is developed. Part of what the potential occupancy is where the customers will be. Councilmember Elvig stated that he had a conversation with members of Ramsey Town Center, LLC at which time he proposed the question of what they thought about growth in other areas of the City and they were very supportive of growth in other areas. In looking at the density of sewered developments approved since the adoption of the 2001 Comprehensive Plan, if they were to add the number of units at build-out, the City will have the ability to keep the higher density closer to Highway #10 and allow for larger lot developments in northern Ramsey and still meet the density requirements. Bryce Beckard, Met Council, explained that the Met Council is currently in the process of reviewing if they would be able to accommodate 7.3 gallons of capacity in the future with the current interceptor if the City were to be completely built out. It may be necessary to constrnct a treatment facility in the City, which they would need the City's help with. The study for the northwest area has just started and by the end of the year they hope to have a whole system plan update available for a public hearing. Mayor Gamec questioned what the City's current capacity is. Assistant Director of Public Works Olson explained that currently the City is at 600,000 gallons a day. Mayor Gamec questioned what the City's current approved capacity amount is. Assistant Director of Public Works Olson explained that in the adopted Comprehensive Plan the City's approved capacity is 2.8 gallons per day and, with the Town Center approval, the Met Council has given the City verbal approval of 3.8 gallons per day. City Council Work Session/April 5, 2004 Page 5 of 7