Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/07/2020

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will be required if the project moves forward. • Utilities:This area is guided for City utilities in the City's Comprehensive Plan, and is currently zoned for utilities. Staff would like to note for the record that just because utilities are in the area, individual property owners on well and septic will not be forced to connect to City utilities per the City's charter. • Lot Sizes: The Applicant is proposing 55, 65, and 75 foot wide lots. The City recently completed a Housing Study with Maxfield Consulting that indicated there is a demand for this type of product. Staff has heard from the development community that the market is demanding more of this product with smaller lots due to development costs and lifestyle choices. The market for 80 foot wide lots has decreased significantly in the past 5 years, as evidenced by Ramsey's own permit data. are Staff would like to note that just because there is a demand for this type of product, and it is likely it will sell, that does not mean the City is required to allow them in every location. • Shoreland Overlay District: A portion of the Subject Property is within the Shoreland Overlay District due to proximity to Trott Brook. The Shoreland Overlay District boundary extends 300 feet from the Ordinary High Watermark (OHW) of Trott Brook. Within this area, lot width at both the OHW and the building line must be at least seventy-five (75) feet. There is no minimum lot size (area) requirements for streams in the Shoreland Overlay District. It does appear that the sketch plan conforms to the lot width standard of the Overlay District. Changes to Typical Process Due to the Stay at Home Order, Planning Commission meetings have been moved online, which changes our typical engagement process. The City has implemented the following changes to ensure the public is provided opportunity to comment on this case, including: • Postponed cases • Hosted preparatory webinars • Placed videos online • Extended public comment periods • Did more focused outreach • Suggested alternative means to provide comment 60 Day Rule Staff previously gave an update on the 60-Day Rule as it relates to current cases, that agenda item is available on the April 2, 2020 Planning Commission agenda found at www.cityoframsey.com/agendas. State Statute requires that the City of Ramsey respond to an Application within 60 days of submittal. The City of Ramsey is allowed one 60 day extension in order to respond, allowing a total of 120 days. After 120 days, the Applicant must agree to further extensions. • Trott Brook North: Sketch Plan and Rezoning Submitted March 5, 2020 (60 days - May 4, 2020, 120 days - July 3, 2020) The City has invoked 60 day extensions for the project due to the current State of Emergency related to Covid-19 and to provide the City additional time to further evaluate the proposal for compliance with applicable regulations and provide reasonable public input. Ordinances take two (2) City Council meetings if approved, so the Planning Commission needs to make a recommendation on this project tonight, unless the Developer agrees to an additional extension in writing. Public Comment Written Comments Received:All written public comments have been attached to this case and shall be considered part of the formal public record. Staff has also attempted to summarize comments received in an attached document to note the most significant areas of concern from residents. Discussions with Residents:For the last two months or so, Staff has been speaking with residents about this project one-on-one and attempting to clarify the proposal, summarize the public hearing process, and provide opportunities for comment. While many telephones calls were followed up with formal letters or emails, some were not. Staff estimates that approximately ten (10) calls took place with residents who were opposed to the project. Reasons varied but the majority of reasons were: lack of rural character with project, project is too dense, traffic concerns, and environmental concerns. Calls came from residents throughout the City, but most were from those along