Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/01/2016

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Commission Business Chairperson Levine asked if a parking lot could be turned into a parking structure in the future. Community Development Director Gladhill stated there were several different approaches to parking. He noted a surface lot could be pursued at first and this could go vertical if the need were to arise. Chairperson Levine questioned if there would be a large cost in building a parking structure. Community Development Director Gladhill reported this was the case noting a surface stall cost was $5,000 per stall, where underground parking was $30,000 per stall and vertical parking ramp spaces were $20,000 per stall. Chairperson Levine requested further information on staff's views for retail. Community Development Director Gladhill explained staff received mixed reviews for large format retail and vertical mixed use. The unresolved question that remains is what the market would support in Ramsey for these two types of retail. He described how the river constricted aeeess to th -athe market area. Commissioner VanScoy suggested staff contact retail experts in order to address the needs for the City. He questioned when staff was proposing to hold a roundtable discussion. Commissioner Bauer was anxious to get retail providers into the City of Ramsey and encouraged staff to hear from all voices in the community as to what retailers could be supported. Community Development Director Gladhill anticipated the roundtable discussion would be held in the coming months in order to provide staff with direction on the policy framework. Chairperson Levine supported the proposed direction of staff and recommended a roundtable discussion be held in the coming months. 6. COMMISSION/STAFF INPUT 6.01: Receive Staff Update The Staff Update was noted. 6.02: Zoning Bulletins Zoning Bulletins were noted. Planning Commission/August 4, 2016 Page 6 of 7