Agenda - Council - 01/14/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tim Gladhill, City of Ramsey September 26, 2019 Page 4 Density Calculations The Plan needs to demonstrate how the land use guiding is anticipated to achieve minimum development/redevelopment densities of 15 units per acre within 1/2 mile of the Northstar Commuter rail station. Minimum average net densities within 1/2 mile of the Ramsey Northstar Commuter rail station must meet the minimum of 15 units per acre based on the standards in the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan. Advisory Comments • The acreage of Single Family Detached land use in Table 27: 2016 Existing Land Use Categories is reported as 77,395 acres, which seems to be an error. • The Future Land Use map seems to have been duplicated in the Plan on pages 30 and 31. Moreover, Table 28: Future Land Use Categories by Planning Period is displayed in two separate pages. • The Medium Density Residential (4-8 units/acre) and High Density Residential (10- 15 units/acre) density ranges leave a gap for planned development densities of 8 to 10 units per acre. Council staff encourage the City to ensure continuity in density ranges between different residential land use categories to reduce the need for future amendments to the Plan. • The City should be aware that with no clear locational distinction between the three identified Mixed Use subcategories, the minimum density of 5 units per acre (Mixed Use Low) and the maximum density of 75 units per acre (Mixed Use High) has been used for the overall density calculations. Housing (Tara Beard, 651-602-1051) Implementation Plan Some tools the City must consider to address housing needs are not included in the Plan. Plans consistent with Council Housing Policy will consider all widely recognized tools available and state if the City is likely or unlikely to use the tool, and if so, for what specific housing needs. Please note that the Plan does not have to commit to use each tool at this time, but it can indicate a willingness to research and explore tools within a certain timeframe, if it is not ready to commit to a specific tool at this time, Specifically: • Preservation of any naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) rental units is a region -wide need that the existing housing assessment data suggests may be relevant in the City of Ramsey. However, there is no mention of the City's willingness to support and engage in applications to Minnesota Housing's Consolidated Request for Proposals, the creation of Housing Improvement Areas, a local 4(d) policy program, the issuance of housing bonds or partnership with organizations such as Greater Minnesota Housing Fund who have NOAH resources. • The Plan discusses Anoka County HRA's programs thoroughly, but it must acknowledge that a local HRA/EDA is also a tool that can support a variety of local housing needs. The Plan must indicate if the City will consider the use of local HRA/EDA powers, and if so, for what identified housing needs. • One publicly subsidized housing development in the City could see their affordability requirements expire before 2023. The Plan must state whether the City would encourage and support efforts to explore the preservation of expiring low-income housing tax credit properties with partners such as Minnesota Housing or Anoka County HRA. • City support or direct application to specific resources within the Minnesota Housing Consolidated RFP, including what types of affordable housing projects would be