Minutes - Council - 10/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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proposed to construct an apartment building that will reach a height of about 52 feet at the peak of the roof. The Board of Adjustment, at their September 10, 2001 meeting, denied the variance request. The applicant has appealed the decision to the City Council. The Fire Chief indicates that the maximum reach capability of the Fire Department for fire suppression and rescue operations is 35 feet. The Fire Chief has concerns regarding the possible impairment of fire suppression activities resulting from equipment that cannot reach the roofline and the difficulty in rescuing tenants on the third floor of the apartment building. However, Fire Chief Kapler has noted that the City of Ramsey's preliminary budget includes the purchase of an aerial ladder truck in 2002. Given that fact, the Fire Chief is willing to support the request for variance as long as the aerial ladder truck remains in the 2002 budget. It should also be noted that Ramsey has a joint powers agreement with the Anoka and Andover Fire Departments for emergency assistance and those departments do have aerial ladder trucks with reach capabilities in excess of 52 feet. All of the units are proposed to have decks. The decks are located no more than 31 feet from the proposed grade. Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler stated that the people he has been working with at Lord of Life have been very cooperative with getting good access to the site. Mayor Gamec inquired as to the height of the existing senior building. Principal Planner Trudgeon replied 44 feet. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he was disappointed that the public hearing is not being held before the Council because he does not have a good sense of what the neighborhood's reaction is to granting the request. Jim Hanson, 14651 Fluorine Street NW, Ramsey, stated that his main concern is with traffic behind his house. He thanked Lord of Life for meeting with the neighborhood and presenting the option of moving the road 60 feet, which will save the trees. The neighborhood does not have an issue with a senior high rise and appreciate their efforts. If there was any way of moving the road, that would be their preference, but he understands that they have limited access from their site. A couple of things to mention is that they have plans for trees being planted and mentioned to Lord of Life that they would like to know when those trees will be going in. It might be several years before they would provide any screening. They have agreed to provide them with that information. He inquired as to what the dotted lines were indicating on the revised site plan. Dave Kitter, Lord of Life, stated that the dotted lines should not be on the site plan. He explained that there were early discussions of additional parking being placed in that location, but as of now there are no plans for the parking Mr. Hanson stated that he feels that Lord of Life, in good faith, has done what they can. Bottom line - if there was any other way to move the road it would be beneficial. City Council/October 23, 2001 Page 18 of 24