Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/22/2018 - No Meeting

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5.01: Consider Landscape Plan for Affinity at Ramsey (Project No. 17-142); Case of Inland Group City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the City has a purchase agreement in place to sell about four acres of land adjacent to Municipal Plaza for a proposed residential apartment building. He stated that the City has received an application for Sketch Plan review of a new, 175-unit apartment building at the southwest corner of Ramsey Parkway and Center Street and would serve the 55+ demographic. He reviewed details of the proposed Landscape Plan associated with the project. Board Member Hiatt asked if there would be surface parking as well. City Planner Anderson highlighted the areas of surface parking, noting that the remainder of the parking would be included as the first, partially underground, floor of the building. He stated that staff recommends approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon the compliance with the Staff Review Letter. He provided additional details on the transition to the electronic permit submittal and review system the City is using. He noted that the new system will allow all departments to review and provide comments at the same time, rather than waiting for one department to make comments before passing the plans on to another department. Board Member Hiatt asked if the City has developed its plan for the greenway area nearby this area. City Planner Anderson stated that staff recently received authorization from the City Council to proceed with the schematic design for the park area within The COR. Board Member Hiatt asked for timing details, specifically whether this project would be constructed near the same time as the park improvements. City Planner Anderson stated that he was unsure of the timeframe for the construction and completion of the park improvements and at this time is only aware of the authorization to prepare the schematic designs for the park improvements. Motion by Board Member Valentine and seconded by Board Member Hiatt to recommend approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Valentine, Hiatt, Covart, and Trossen. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Members Anderson and Bernard. 5.02: Review Landscape Plan for New Elementary School City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the new elementary school is proposed to be constructed on Nowthen Boulevard, directly east of 170th Avenue. He noted that this will be in addition to the existing Ramsey Elementary School. He stated that the project includes a 90,000-square foot building footprint, plus outdoor play spaces, parking and a bus corral. He noted that the intention is for the new school to be open for the 2019-2020 school year. He reviewed the details of the proposed plans. He stated that staff recommends approval of the Landscape Plan contingent upon compliance with the Staff Review Letter. He noted that the Environmental Policy Board / December 18, 2017 Page 2 of 6