Minutes - Planning Commission - 07/21/2016

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Staff reviewed the proposed Ordinance with the Commission in detail and recommended approval. Commissioner Andrusko stated that it is admirable that the City is attempting to make their definitions more in line with the Metropolitan Council as that will make it easier for builders. Acting Chairperson VanScoy stated that he has several concerns with the proposal as it stands. He noted that he spoke with the Metropolitan Council and stated that they are looking for three to five units per acre in Ramsey. He stated that in terms of how the City gets there, the Met Council does not care. He stated that his concern would be applying this global approach to a small development, noting that he would not be concerned with large developments, as this could create a lot of discrepancies in small developments. He used an example where a portion of a street right-of-way was included in the density calculations and noted that he struggled to understand why just that one street was included and not all four streets in the development. He noted the differences that including streets would provide in density. He asked how it would be determined as to which right-of-ways would be included or excluded. He stated that there is an overall goal for ten units per acre within The COR and stated that the City should go back and look at that and see how the policy would apply. He stated that if the right-of-way is going to be included, it should be defined as to how that is going to be included for clarity. He stated that perhaps the densities should then be adjusted to fit the overall desired density for The COR. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the three to five units per acre is only for the sewered areas within the City and noted that retail and commercial space would not be included. He compared the right-of-way inclusion to the process used for assessments. He stated that in order to keep this simply he would suggest splitting right-of-way that already exists, similar to assessments. He stated that the Commission could also require a maximum depth for a storm water pond and minimum green space but noted that those would be outside of the density definition. He noted that this item is not under a time crunch but wanted to keep it on the burner so to speak. Acting Chairperson VanScoy stated that in a global aspect, larger concept, he would agree, but on a smaller concept he would disagree with adding right-of-way. He stated that perhaps the density targets should be changed as the intent was not to include non -buildable land with density. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the primary concern is within the areas within The COR and noted that each development could be reviewed on a smaller scale to determine whether they match the overall desired density. Acting Chairperson VanScoy used the example of the first case reviewed tonight and noted that because of the small size the density can be impacted greatly by making small suggestions. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that overall The COR is going to fall greatly short of the density forecasting. Planning Commission/July 21, 2016 Page 16 of 20