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Ms. Albrecht replied that she does not want to see the apartment building. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt inquired as to how the proposed building compares in height to the existing <br />senior complex. <br /> <br />Principal Planner Trudgeon replied that he was not sure without researching the information. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt inquired as to what the response time was if they needed to contact an <br />adjoining city for assistance. <br /> <br />Jerry Streich, Ramsey Fire Department, replied that the response time from Elk River to the <br />senior housing complex would be 15 to 17 minutes. Anoka has the fastest response time at six <br />minutes. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt inquired as to what the response time would be from the Ramsey Fire <br />Department if the City had its own aerial ladder truck. <br /> <br />Mr. Streich replied that the Ramsey Fire Department could respond in 15 minutes, including a <br />six to eight minute transport time to the fire station for the firefighters. He noted that the <br />previous response times did not include the six to eight minutes for the firefighters to reach their <br />fire stations. <br /> <br />Board Member Sweet stated that if the City stays within their regulations of the 35 feet they <br />would not need to purchase an aerial ladder truck. <br /> <br />Board Member Johnson inquired if the Ramsey Fire Department would be able to rescue people <br />from the building, with their existing equipment, with the proposed window heights. <br /> <br />Mr. Streich stated that the reason they are recommending denial of the variance has to do with <br />public safety as well as concern of the property. Savanna Oaks was granted a nine foot variance <br />with the understanding that the City would be purchasing an aerial ladder truck in the near future. <br />In this case they are proposing a 15 foot height deviation and there is no proposal to include <br />decks on the building. The Ramsey Fire Department has ladders that will reach the windows, but <br />they would have to walk around to the back of the building to get the ladder up, which is why the <br />driving pad was recommended. The building will be constructed in compliance with the State <br />Fire Code, but the City cannot restrict where handicapped people can live within the building. <br /> <br />Board Member Johnson verified that the Ramsey Fire Department would have the ability to <br />reach the windows with their current equipment. <br /> <br />Mr. Streich replied that they could reach the bottom of the window, but the fire fighters would <br />have to lift the ladder manually. <br /> <br />Board of Adjustment/June 5, 2001 <br /> Page 7 of 11 <br /> <br /> <br />