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

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Commissioner Bauer remarked how he had second thoughts on the retail area in the southwest are of the COR. He explained how the type of retail should be changed to a unique destination type, similar to Stillwater [MN] with craft and antique stores. Chairperson Levine agreed stating Stillwater is. a much better example for Ramsey to follow than Arbor Lakes [Maple Grove]. THE COR DEVELOPMENT PLAN (CURRENT) Community Development Director Gladhill then asked the commissioners to repeat the process with their top 3 components of the current COR development plan. He explained the similarities of the plans, but some changes occurred when they tried to apply it, such as the West 30 [retail vs residential], eliminating the architectural review, and reducing the floor to area ratio (FAR). The first topic was the definition of mixed -use. Community Development Director Gladhill explained the change from vertical mixed -use to many single uses within a block. Commissioner VanScoy agreed the definition had changed, but asked what is considered a block. Community Development Director Gladhill explained a block is an area surrounded by public or private streets, but could use a better definition [for this plan]. Chairperson Levine made the comment how less is happening in the COR now. Community Development Director Gladhill explained how less vertical mixed -use is happening, but there is still activity and interest. Gladhill noted that mixed -use is still a goal of the community, however the community has experienced more residential growth compared to retail. Chairperson Levine remarked how less four (4) story structures and more one (1) story structures equals less activity, or density. He then said less activity equals less rooftops (residents). Commissioner VanScoy remarked how mixed -use in the COR now seems to be all residential, something different which wants to be built seems like it needs a variance. He then asked how you plan to get the mixed use [in the future] which we want. Commissioner Maul agreed adding scale should be asked in addition to Commissioner VanScoy's question. He then remarked if we want vertical, we need to plan for it now. Community Development Director Gladhill then explained more of the components as architectural standards & relaxed sign standards and parking. Chairperson Levine made the comment how shared parking does not always work. Commissioner Maul agreed adding and asking again, to what scale. Commissioner VanScoy remarked how there was no strategy to implementing the shared parking [in the original plan]. Chairperson Levine asked how we pay for parking. Planning Commission Special Work Session/July 9, 2015 Page 4 of 8