Laserfiche WebLink
SITE EVALUATION <br /> The Site is currently vacant, and is surrounded by Highway 10 to the south, single-family homes <br /> to the north, vacant land to the west(zoned PUD) and industrial area to the east. However, there <br /> are proposals to replace the industrial properties with big-box retail. Because of the large size of <br /> the Site, it is likely that a new affordable rental or senior community would be partially sur- <br /> rounded by other new housing within the community, as well as by at least one of the existing <br /> properties surrounding the site. The southern end of Site 96 would likely be the most appropriate <br /> location for a apartment-style rental or senior building, as it would enjoy the greatest access and <br /> visibility from Highway 10. This location would also be only about one-half mile from the retail <br /> component of Ramsey Town Center, and even closer to the proposed big-box retail proposed for <br /> the industrial area west of Armstrong Boulevard. <br /> The potential weakness of Site 96 is could be the noise from train traffic along the tracks that <br /> parallel Highway 10. Other housing near the rail line has been successful,however, and with <br /> proper sound proofing, housing on this site should be successful as well. Overall, we find that <br /> Site 96 is well suited for multifamily housing and has the size to support a larger community. <br /> Appropriateness of Sites for Multifamily Housing <br /> We find that Site 91 (Ramsey Town Center) is the best location for affordable multifamily hous- <br /> ing (owned or rented) and senior housing. It has the best access and visibility, and would be <br /> within walking distance to shopping,jobs, entertainment, and transit. It also has capacity to ac- <br /> commodate large communities, and multifamily housing on this site would compliment the adja- <br /> cent surrounding land uses that are planned. Overall, Site#1 would be well received by persons <br /> seeking multifamily housing products. Thus, we recommend that Site 91 be the focus of new af- <br /> fordable multifamily and senior housing communities. <br /> Site#6 (north of Highway 10, about 1/z mile west of Armstrong Boulevard) also has good access <br /> and visibility, capacity for larger communities, and is less than one-mile from the retail and ser- <br /> vices in the Ramsey Town Center. Site#6 should be strongly considered for future multifamily <br /> housing, as we find it to be the second best potential location within the City. It would not be as <br /> appealing to potential residents as multifamily housing in the Ramsey Town Center, however. <br /> Site#4 (northeast corner of Highway 47 and Alpine Drive) also has capacity for larger commu- <br /> nities, and should also be considered for future multifamily housing. Multifamily housing on <br /> this site would have good access and visibility and would be compatible with surrounding land <br /> uses. Multifamily housing on this site would not be as appealing to potential residents as multi- <br /> family housing in the Ramsey Town Center, however. <br /> While Sites 92, 93, and#5 are appropriate for multifamily housing, we do not recommend pursu- <br /> ing the development of new affordable and senior communities on them in the short-term. These <br /> sites are not as appealing for affordable and senior multifamily housing as Sites #1 and#4. They <br /> should be preserved for multifamily communities in the long-term future, however, as there are <br /> very few potential multifamily sites in Ramsey. <br /> MAXFIELD RESEARCH INC. 5 <br />