Minutes - Planning Commission - 01/03/2002

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Frederick Hulio, Iodine Street N.E., Ramsey, asked if Iodine Street will be a through street. He said he was concerned about the small children. He said he has not seen anything that addresses the safety concerns. City Engineer Jankowski answered it will be a through street. He added that a traffic analysis was done in May for this subdivision, and had been updated with these changes. He said the traffic generation rates for both studies were much the same. The average number of trips each way will be 35. Sarah Strommen, 14546 Krypton Street, Ramsey, commented that Mr. Black is willing to implement tree preservation measures. She questioned what the assurance is that it will be done. Also, there is an agreement between the City and the developer to follow through. Ms. Strommen noted that the original application for the apartment buildings included a request for a height variance. She questioned if that was still being requested. Principal Planner Trudgeon explained that originally, the Board of Adjustment recommended denial of that variance request. It is still at the Council level for an appeal decision. Bruce Iverson, 14301 Neon Street N.W., stated his property abuts the wetland. He identified himself as the citizen that issued the "Citizen's Recommendation". He stated his primary concerns are centered around four key areas which are protection of the environment; preservation of trees and/or woodlands; preserving the unique resources, amenities; and maintaining existing property values. He said he was here in good faith to enhance the development. The City has an opportunity to make sure the developments that go in adhere to the guidelines as set in Comp Plan. He wants the City to ensure that those environmental areas are protected. He said he is pleased to see the developer is trying to take measures to create buffers. He asked that the definition of tree preservation be more clearly defined. He pointed out the map included in his recommendation. The map illustrates the lot sizes next to the wetland. This development proposes the density will be double than what is surrounding the pond. Even though buffers and tree preservation is being talked about, there won't be any to preserve just because putting those size houses on those lots means trees will have to be destroyed. His recommendation to the City was that with minor modifications to the lot layout, the wetland can be increased by ½ acre. He said the lot that is on the peninsula is a small lot, but buildable. There is so much wetland on it that trees haven't grown. He felt that putting a house on that piece would be like putting a house in the middle of a pond. He said the lot size should be 1 acre for any lot on the peninsula. Sonya Rehbein, 14249 Junkite Street N.W., said that years ago when the Ramsey Terrace Park was cleared out for putting in utilities, she talked to the contractor because of the loss of trees. The contractor used words like restore, protect, and reforest. She challenged that this did not happen, and said that one and two-inch trees are destroyed easily. She asked that if reforestation is promised, that it be carried through. She said that in this development the oak trees will likely Planning Commission/January 3, 2002 Page 9 of 18