Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 10/15/2018

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anticipated change in its usage, other than possible use of City land for detention of stormwater. Consistency on a map does not assure that project implementation will fully meet the City's intent with respect to the provision of service. It is for this reason that the various AUAR Items address infrastructure needs and phasing. The timing within which services will be provided to Ramsey Town Center is spelled -out in Items 12, 13, 17, 18, 21, 25 and 28. However, at this time, there has not been any financial commitment by the City to meet the timing schedule. Although the entire LCP supports the approach proposed for Ramsey Town Center, some specific elements within the Plan pertain especially to the project. The Guiding Principles within the Vision and Guiding Principles section of the Plan (Chapter II) contain many statements that reflect the -4own center" concept of development, with its emphasis on mixed land uses, pedestrian and environmental friendliness, and building a sense of community. Chapter III of the LCP (Community Background) and Chapter XIV (Community Identity) address the City's intent to grow in a well thought-out manner and to build a sense of community. The Ramsey Town Center project will provide an opportunity to develop a central focal point for municipal civic activities, as well as working, shopping, establishing a home and finding local entertainment as the City's population grows from about 19,500 in the year 2000 to well over 30,000 by 2020. Consistency relative to sense of community cannot be shown with maps and charts, but must be gained through repeated contact with public officials and members of the community. The preferred concept that eventually evolved into Figure 6.1 was derived after many such meetings. The list of forums for discussion included: Metropolitan Council Smart Growth community meetings; presentation and listening sessions with City officials and community leaders; a Town Center Task Force; the January 2003 retail design charette; and day-to-day interaction with City staff. Consistency is also assured by matching the character of a new Ramsey Town Center with what the City expresses as its needs and desires in the LCP. Following are several such statements from the LCP for which the Town Center design fits: "Landowners are encouraged to preserve and restore areas of significant natural resources such as open prairie or tree canopy as permanent open space by increasing density in areas more conducive to development." (page V-11) It is an Urban Residential policy of the City to "Encourage environmentally conscious site design and construction methods to assure that development respects the natural envirunrnent", to "Ensure open space that is part of a residential development is preserved as permanent open space ... " and to "Ensure projects are consistent with the goals and policies of the Mississippi River 27-3