Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/05/2004

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Commissioner Brauer stated some of the Commissioners are completely opposed to this. It does not matter whether they change the language or other things; it is just a bad idea. Commissioner Watson concurred. Commissioner Brauer stated the concept does not make sense to him. His argument has been economic, in that by doing this the eventual costs of something like this have not been adequately addressed. He explained in his work he builds models of policy decisions, and when he ran thc numbers on Ramsey it shows a graph that slowly goes up. The City is being well run now, but as soon as there is a major project, such as CR 116, Highway 47, or anything else that the development forces, the graph goes off the end. This would need to be taken out .of the people in thc City in a tax increase unless they can figure out another way to do it. He cannot vote for something that will ask existing residents of this City to pay higher taxes to subsidize more development. Chairperson Nixt asked if the denial of the ordinance is conditional or absolute to the corem i s si on ers. Commissioners Watson, Van Scoy and Brauer responded their denials would be absolute. Commissioner Jeffrey responded his denial would be conditional. Chairperson Nixt withdrew his motion. Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Van Scoy, to recommend that the City Council deny the adoption of the ordinance to amend Chapter 9 (Zoning and Subdivision of Land) of thc Ramsey City Code to amend development standards in the R-1 Residential District as presented. Further Discussion: Chairperson Nixt indicated the context of his first motion should be considered as his observations about the reason for the ordinance being deficient. Commissioner Jeffi'ey stated the infrastructure of Highways 47, 5 and 10 all need to be looked at in its entirety. Development will happen and the City needs to get ahead of the curve. The ordinance has a lot of good things, but they need to think through some of these things. He asked how this action will affect the moratorium. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon replied there is a possibility of extending the moratorium. He is glad the Commission is making a recommendation because he thinks they need to respect the moratorium and have a recommendation for the Council. Commissioner Brauer stated he agrees with Chairperson Nixt in the issues he pointed out about the existing ordinance. He assumes those of them opposed to the ordinancc in any fon'n are in the minority, and he thinks the issues Chairperson Nixt brought up are valid for the ordinance if it does go through. Chairperson Nixt noted he will be voting against the motion. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Commissioners Van Scoy, Brauer and Watson. Voting no: Chairperson Nixt and Commissioner Jeffrey. Absent: Commissioners Johnson and Shepherd. Further Discussion: Commissioner Watson stated he thinks the ordinance is in violation of the comprehensive plan. He thinks it takes away from diversified housing in the future. They have Planning Commission/August 5, 2004 Page 39 of 40