Minutes - Council - 02/12/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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l~ruce Ivergon, 14301 Neon Street NW, Ramgey, stated that from his perspective, they were there to assess thc development as it relates to the Comprehensive Plan and its compliance. He did not believe that the development met the Comprehensive Plan pertaining to preservation of the environment, trees, health safety and welfare. In terms of the Comprehensive Plan, the Plan is for the people of Ramsey and policy makers and staff for the City. He stated that it is the Council's job to make sure the development as proposed meets the Comprehensive Plan, that the residential growth blends in with the existing development, that the balance of the infrastructure and services minimize impact on existing neighborhoods, density should be relative to what is next door in all instances where future development may occur adjacent to existing developments. With regard to housing diversity, looking at a new development there has to be a consistent transition with future land use categories ~ goals for where people to live. The City currently does not have any tree preservation requirements or is there any stipulation on the development. He stated that he consistently hear the Council talking about the aspects of the new development but no discussion about the impact on the existing residents. Their jobs as Councilmembers is to adhere to the Comprehensive Plan. He presented a map of the surrounding developments showing the average lot size is .5 acre in size in comparison to the proposed development, which is '/4 acre lots. He presented a view of the homes that are ¼ acre lots in comparison to the lots that are ½ acre lots. Mr. Ivcrson proposed that the Council truly consider if the development meets the intent of the City's Comprehensive Plan. He also pointed out that Mr. Black has come back with a development that has reduced density, but has increased the density along thc wetland area. Mr. Black has not worked with the residents even though the issues were brought forward six months ago. In spite of those requests, Mr. Black has come back with just the opposite. The original proposal had 9 lots along the pond and now there are ten. The infi'astructure has not changed to minimize the impact on the adjacent neighbors. Mr. Iverson presented a working recommendation for Council consideration and requested that the Council delay action until they have an opportunity to make the development consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and meet the concerns of the citizens of Ramsey. He stated that he was simply asking for small changes to the plan, which could make it a successful development for everyone. Vicki and Jeremy Loretz, 14560 Iodine Street NW, Ramsey, stated that their main concern is the traffic. They stated that they understood that traffic studies have been completed, but they have not seen anything addressing the safety concerns for those people that live in the existing neighborhood. On the ten lots along Iodine Street, there are 13 kids and that number will only increase. The intersection of Iodine Street and 146th Avenue is already a dangerous intersection. They requested that the Council listen to the residents and eliminate the connection to Iodine Street and keep all of the traffic from the new development within their development. Councihnember Zimmerman stated that it has become common in the City of Ramsey that every time there is a new development the adjoining neighbors are expected to take on more traffic. He felt that there was a way to develop a plan without running additional traffic down existing streets. City Council/February 12, 2002 Page 21 of 33