Minutes - Council - 04/26/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Cook indicated the concern was not the effectiveness of the rain gardens, but the difficulty in maintaining them. (',ouncilmcmber Elvig stressed the need to be sure there is a policy in place regarding the amount t)F silt and the maintenance of the rain gardens. Motion by Councihnember Cook, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to adopt Resolution #05- 04-112 approving the preliminary plat of Ramsey Town Center 6th Addition subject to compliance with City Staff Review Letter dated April 15, 2005 and Planning Commission ~:olnmcnls fi'om their April 21, 2005 meeting, and to approve the preliminary site plan of Ramsey 'l'own Center 6th Addition subject to compliance with City Staff Review Letter dated April 15, 2005 and Planning Commission comments from their April 21, 2005 meeting. l"urthcr discussion: Councilmember Strommen stated regarding the turquoise included in the developer's palette of colors, colors that would be dated in the future should be avoided. Ron Wallcnbrock, project manager with D.R. Horton, stated D.R. Horton is excited about the Ramsey Town Center project and is committed to the 180 units they will be building. This is the first community where D.R. Horton has introduced this project and they want to make the Ramsey 'l'own Center project special with a good urban feel. This was the impetus of hiring an architect and looking at thc elevations. Regarding the turquoise color mentioned by Councilmember Strom men, they were all initially taken aback, but over time looking at the colors think they will be neat. The turquoise color is from the Norman Rockwell line and he thinks the Council will be happy with the outcome. Motio~t carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Cook, Olson, Elvig, Jeffrey, I'carson, and Strommen. Voting No: None. <:ese #8: Proposed Amendment to the Town Center Zoning District Regarding Driveway Lengths and Front Yard Setbacks ('.ommunity Development Director Trudgeon indicated as the Ramsey Town Center continues to develop, the City has begun to receive several proposed residential subdivisions within the development. Overall, the Ramsey Town Center is expected to contain about 2,400 housing ~_mits. In reviewing sketch plans for several proposed Town Center residential developments, the Planning Commission has raised concerns that some of the plans will not meet the expectations of density envisioned for the entire Ramsey Town Center. Staff has reviewed the concerns with thc Ramscy Town Center LLC and reviewed some of the initial sketch plans. The sketch plans presented to the Planning Commission complied with all Town Center zoning codes. In reviewing the sketch plans, staff and the developer determined that the plans showed as many ~mits as possible given adherence to all Town Center Zoning codes. In reviewing possibilities, ,~taff determined the biggest factors determining density were driveway length and the provision o[' public roads throughout the development. Given the need for an efficient traffic network system and public safety needs, staff is reluctant to reduce the provision of public roads through thc Town Center. However, staff believes that a lesser driveway length in the Town Center may be warranted. In taking a look at some of the sketch plans, it appears that allowing driveways of City Council/April 26, 2005 Page 16 of 23