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2.03: Concept Proposal: 250+ Unit Rental Townhome Development <br />Asst. City Administrator/Economic Development Manager Brama reviewed the staff report. <br />Planning Commissioner Van Scoy referenced the "fenced in" comment noting that would create <br />a fortress feeling. He stated that one of The COR values is to have a pedestrian friendly open <br />area. He stated that he likes the idea of residential but believed that fencing would go against the <br />vision. He stated that the site across from The COR would be preferred. <br />Planning Commissioner Anderson stated that single -level living residential was discussed for <br />this property with a trail that went through the site in some method. He stated that if the property <br />is gated that breaks up the parks/trails system, which is already in pieces. He stated that if the <br />primary site is across the street, that would be a better fit as there is already a bike path in that <br />area. He stated that as much as he would like to see residential in that area, the idea of gating <br />bothers him. <br />Planning Commissioner Surma asked if the townhomes would be one level. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill noted that this would be multi -level, with separate <br />housing units stacked on top. <br />Planning Commissioner Surma stated that this is not the place for that and believed that this <br />should go across the street. <br />Councilmember Riley asked the purpose of reserving that space for one level living. <br />Planning Commissioner Surma stated that there is a surplus of multi -level housing in the <br />community. He stated that the baby boomer generation desires single -level living and there <br />should be room for that in Ramsey to allow residents to age in the community and provide a <br />variety of housing stock. <br />Councilmember Riley stated that if there is a need for that, the market should dictate that. <br />Mr. Pankratz asked if the entire site would need to be reserved for single level living or whether <br />it could be a combination. <br />Planning Commissioner Surma stated that there could be a combination but stated that rather <br />than building "mini cities" of apartments, that site should be connected to The COR to allow <br />pedestrian movement with a nice trail system. <br />Planning Commissioner Bauer commented that he just purchased a Capstone home and they had <br />a hard time finding a one level property. He stated that those properties sell quickly and there is <br />definitely a need in Ramsey. He stated that he likes the idea of residential with some of those <br />lots being single level. He stated that with this applicant desiring gated property, he would prefer <br />the site across the street. <br />City Council Work Session / May 23, 2018 <br />Page 9 of 14 <br />