Minutes - Planning Commission - 07/09/2015 - Work Session

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Commissioner Bauer described the apartment complex connected to the Municipal Parking Ramp and how the City Council originally wanted retail on the first floor of the complex. The developer did not want retail on the first floor. Commissioner Bauer then explained without a large store/attraction there is no market for mixed -use commercial in this area. Commissioner Nosan remarked how the residents of Ramsey are always going to have cars and is what the culture of the town is used to. She explained how Ramsey will never be Uptown [Minneapolis]. Community Development Director Gladhill then clarified the consensus on the meaning of mixed - use for the original plan was vertical mixed use. Gladhill then explained that the City would continue to discuss the current definition in the next step, and perhaps continue to discuss this as a policy question moving forward. Commissioner Maul explained how mixed -use development works very well in Minneapolis and Uptown because there is limited space, whereas there is still plenty of land in Ramsey. Community Development Director Gladhill then went through the remaining components of architectural standards, which was split into the architecture of the building itself as well as the architectural review, density; strong blue system, of which The Draw is itself a utility and amenity; and the Master Park Plan. Commissioner Bauer explained he had written the strong blue system and wanted to see it developed further. He then said water re -use is important and water is unique to Ramsey because of the two rivers. He said he would like to see developments with ideas like fountains using rainwater. City Planner Anderson explained The Draw uses storm water and is recycled through the park surrounding it. Chairperson Levine then remarked about how the West 30 idea has changed from the medium - density residential idea to now [retail]. Community Development Director Gladhill then asked the commissioners if there was any components of the Original Master Plan they would like to strike from or add to the list. Commissioner Maul stated he would like to see the strict sign standards removed. Chairperson Levine agreed and said he would like to see more relaxed sign standards. Chairperson Levine spoke of how there was an educational component to the Original Master Plan in buildings being a multi -use, multi -educational facility for shared resources and how he would like to see that brought back in. Commissioner VanScoy remarked how the residential density was a top priority in the old plan, but not in the new (COR plan). He explained how the old plan was to drive people into the center with a transit -oriented development and build a population of enough people to support retail and subsequently encourage those living in the outer areas to drive in to use the amenities as well. Planning Commission Special Work Session/July 9, 2015 Page 3 of 8