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application proposes to develop the property with townhomes. The current Comprehensive Plan <br />identifies this area for development with industrial uses. The March 2001 Draft Comprehensive <br />Plan continues to show this area as 'places to work'. If the City is inclined to rezone the property <br />for medium density residential development, the current comprehensive plan would have to be <br />amended. In addition, the March 2001 draft Comprehensive Plan would also have to be <br />modified accordingly. The development property is bounded on the north and east by single <br />family urban residential development. There are two smaller parcels south and west of the <br />property that are zoned Industrial. Connexus occupies the property on the south side of Industry <br />Avenue. The land on the west side of Ramsey Boulevard is zoned Industrial and is vacant except <br />for two lawful non-conforming reSidences. The March 2001 Draft Comprehensive Plan currently <br />shows development of the property on the west side of Ramsey Boulevard with low and medium <br />density residential uses. The Applicant has stated that an urban residential use of the property <br />would be more compatible with the existing urban single family neighborhood (Regency Pond) <br />on the east and the planned urban residential uses on the west side of Ramsey Boulevard. He has <br />stated that it would also provide a buffer between Regency Pond and Ramsey Boulevard. <br />However, there has been a long-standing effort on the part of the City Councils to preserve this <br />property for industrial uses. The Planning Commission conducted the public hearing on August <br />7 and there were several property owners from the subject area present to urge the City to retain <br />the property for industrial uses. The residents based their comments on concern for property <br />values and traffic safety. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec received a petition from residents opposing the rezoning. <br /> <br />Brad Thorud, 14821 Kamacite Street NW, <br />spokesperson for the neighboring residents. <br />property being rezoned to high density. <br /> <br />Ramsey, stated that he was asked to be the <br />He stated that the residents are opposed to the <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he has received numerous calls from neighboring residents and the <br />consensus seems to be that they would prefer to have single family homes developed on the site. <br /> <br />Mr. Thorud replied that he did not think anyone would oppose single family homes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that in order to rezone a piece of property there should be an <br />overwhelming reason to do so and in this case that is not present. He felt that the property <br />should be left zoned as is. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich presented the following additional findings of fact that should be added: <br /> <br />· That Minn. Stat. 473.858, 473.865, and 462.387 all mandate that a city may not adopt zoning <br /> ordinance amendments, which are in conflict with the City's Comprehensive Plan. <br />· That interested persons residing near the subject property have filed a petition with the City <br /> opposing the rezoning request. The petition contains approximately 87 signatures. <br />· That at the public hearing held on this matter, property owners residing near the subject <br /> property testified that the proposed rezoning would devalue their property and create <br /> <br />City Council/August 28, 2001 <br /> Page 15 of 36 <br /> <br /> <br />