Agenda - Council - 09/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SITE EVALUATION The Site is currently vacant, and is surrounded by Highway 10 to the south, single-family homes to the north, vacant land to the west (zoned PUD) and industrial area to the east. However, there are proposals to replace the industrial properties with big -box retail. Because of the large size of the Site, it is likely that a new affordable rental or senior community would be partially sur- rounded by other new housing within the community, as well as by at least one of the existing properties surrounding the site. The southern end of Site #6 would likely be the most appropriate location for a apaitinent-style rental or senior building, as it would enjoy the greatest access and visibility from Highway 10. This location would also be only about one-half mile from the retail component of Ramsey Town Center, and even closer to the proposed big -box retail proposed for the industrial area west of Armstrong Boulevard. The potential weakness of Site #6 is could be the noise from train traffic along the tracks that parallel Highway 10. Other housing near the rail line has been successful, however, and with proper sound proofing, housing on this site should be successful as well. Overall, we find that Site #6 is well suited for multifamily housing and has the size to support a larger community. Appropriateness of Sites for Multifamily Housing We find that Site #1 (Ramsey Town Center) is the best location for affordable multifamily hous- ing (owned or rented) and senior housing. It has the best access and visibility, and would be within walking distance to shopping, jobs, entertainment, and transit. It also has capacity to ac- commodate large communities, and multifamily housing on this site would compliment the adja- cent surrounding land uses that are planned. Overall, Site #1 would be well received by persons seeking multifamily housing products. Thus, we recommend that Site #1 be the focus of new af- fordable multifamily and senior housing communities. Site #6 (north of Highway 10, about 1/2 mile west of Armstrong Boulevard) also has good access and visibility, capacity for larger communities, and is less than one -mile from the retail and ser- vices in the Ramsey Town Center. Site #6 should be strongly considered for future multifamily housing, as we find it to be the second best potential location within the City. It would not be as appealing to potential residents as multifamily housing in the Ramsey Town Center, however. Site #4 (northeast corner of Highway 47 and Alpine Drive) also has capacity for larger commu- nities, and should also be considered for future multifamily housing. Multifamily housing on this site would have good access and visibility and would be compatible with surrounding land uses. Multifamily housing on this site would not be as appealing to potential residents as multi- family housing in the Ramsey Town Center, however. While Sites #2, #3, and #5 are appropriate for multifamily housing, we do not recommend pursu- ing the development of new affordable and senior communities on them in the short-term. These sites are not as appealing for affordable and senior multifamily housing as Sites #1 and #4. They should be preserved for multifamily communities in the long-term future, however, as there are very few potential multifamily sites in Ramsey. MAXFIELD RESEARCH INC. 5