Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/08/2021

Home

Tom Bakritges, Capstone Homes, commented that he provided a more comprehensive presentation to the City Council and Public Works Committee. He stated that the Pearson family has been at the homestead property for 75 years and therefore they would like to honor the family with one of the street names. He noted that Pearson Place and Pearson Park have already been named after the family on other property they owned that has been developed. He commented that unicorn is not a good name in terms of marketing homes and Capstone does not feel that would be a good fit for the neighborhood. He asked that the Commission approve of the request. Commissioner VanScoy commented that there is already a Unicorn Street in Ramsey and it is part of the County grid. He asked why it is a bad name in the opinion of Capstone. Mr. Bakritges commented that a unicorn is a mythical figure and not a real animal, therefore it does not technically fit within the grid. He stated that some people do not like those types of names for their street, noting that the City approved a change from Sloth Street to Snowy Owl Street in Riverstone North. Chairperson Bauer stated that he lives in Riverstone North on Quintana and asked what type of animal that is. Mr. Bakritges stated that he is not sure of how that name came to be. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that Quintana is not an animal and came about in a similar discussion on the street name. He stated that the Public Works Committee did make this recommendation for the compromise on street naming. Police Chief Katers commented that public safety and public works provided input at the Public Works Committee noting that police and fire oppose changes to the street name grid as it follows the County grid. He noted that the County grid ensures that public safety can easily respond to calls for service within their own community and in situations of mutual aid as all the communities follow the County grid. He stated that there are 18 addresses on the north end of Ramsey that are on Unicorn Street already. He noted that public safety wants to remain with the logical naming system and therefore oppose deviation from the naming system. He commented that in times of emergency when GPS service is not available, public safety would be able to respond within their own community and neighboring communities based on the County grid system. He stated that public safety also opposed the changes requested by the applicant for Riverstone North in 2017, which were ultimately approved by the City. He asked that the Commission follow the grid system for street names. Commissioner VanScoy referenced the comment from Police Chief Katers that public works opposes the change, but the case stated that the Public Works Committee supports the change and asked for clarification. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that the Public Works Committee is composed of three City Council members. He noted that meeting of the Public Works Committee was the same night as a special City Council workshop meeting, therefore all six members of the Council as well as the Councilmember Elect were present and there were no comments of opposition. Planning Commission/ March 4, 2021 Page 3 of 16