Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/04/2019

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Mark Northfield, All Seasons Garage Door, explained he was in the process of completing a business succession plan, noting his kids would be taking over the business in the next three years. He discussed how his business had thrived in Ramsey. He requested no time limit be placed on constructing the new building. Community Development Director Gladhill stated staff did not object to this request and commented on the right of reentry clause that could be written into the Purchase Agreement. Commissioner VanScoy stated he was pleased to see this business expanding in the City. Chairperson Bauer explained Commissioner Anderson supported the proposed request. 8.08: Review Draft Highway 47 Land Use Plan Presentation City Planner McGuire Brigl presented the Staff Report stating the purpose of this case is to review the draft Highway 47 Land Use Plan. The Highway 47 Plan was a goal of the City Council as part of its Strategic Plan to provide specific recommendations to improve the image of the corridor, but does not provide any specific traffic control measures. The City Council's current draft Strategic Plan Update does include a traffic study, incorporating previous alternatives and recent project approvals. With this current land use plan, the City was specifically looking for tools to make the Highway corridor more pleasant and attractive to residents and drivers. Staff worked with residents in 2018 to garner feedback on the plan. The draft plan focuses on three specific nodes along Highway 47, which are the North End, Elmcrest District and Bunker/47. City Planner McGuire Brigl stated please note that this plan includes recommendations for landscaping and buffering; Staff is currently working with MnDOT for a landscaping program along the existing noise wall between Nowthen Boulevard and Alpine Drive. This program is already approved and funded by the City as of 2018, and staff anticipates that the landscaping will be put in this year. This was a large component of the effort to improve the image of Highway 47, but is being handled separately from this longer-range planning document. Staff is looking for general feedback on the plan, specifically on the action items related to each node. Staff will come back with a designed document ready for publication after updating the draft to include Planning Commission's recommendations. Commission Business Chairperson Bauer supported improvements being made at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Highway 47, with respect to the turn lanes. Commissioner Gengler suggested pedestrian improvements also be made at this intersection. Planning Commission/April 4, 2019 Page 13 of 15