Minutes - Council - 08/10/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Motion by Councilmember Howell, seconded by Councilmember Heineman, to postpone City Council action on proposed Ordinance #21-11 Amending Chapter 10 of City Code to the City Council’s Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Regular Meeting. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Acting Mayor Riley, Councilmembers Howell, Heineman, Musgrove, Specht, and Woestehoff. Voting No: None. Absent: Mayor Kuzma. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 7.01: Consider Request for Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Re-Guide PID #20-32-25- 44-0003 from High Density Residential (HDR) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) (Project No. 21-122); Case of Lennar Senior Planner McGuire Brigl reviewed a request from Lennar for a Comprehensive Plan amendment for a residential subdivision near the Fire Station site. She added the 35-acre site is zoned “split zoning”, which is unique for Ramsey. She noted 80-foot-wide lots are proposed on City utilities adjacent to existing residential areas with smaller rural developing lots and high- density residential areas, as well as industrial and commercial uses. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated the Comprehensive Plan guides this area as high-density residential with 8 units per acre. She added, under Met Council guidance, anything over 8 units per acre counts as affordable housing, regardless of whether it is an affordable housing development. She noted the site is adjacent to low-density residential of less than 4 units per acre. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated the applicant is proposing to reduce density from high to medium residential with 4-8 units per acre and an average density of 5.5 units per acre. She added City Staff is supportive of this proposal as it matches the adjacent residential areas and provides a nice buffer. She noted, however, there would be funding impacts. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated the City of Ramsey is a member of the Livable Communities Act (LCA) Program, with funding eligibility, of which the City is the net recipient. She added the City has received $6 million in project funding over the past 20 years, including $1 million in 2019 for Riverwalk Village. She noted overall density cannot be reduced, and affordability must be maintained, for the City to maintain its membership in the LCA Program. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated the City passed a Resolution in November 2020 expressing support for and participation in the LCA Program. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl provided alternatives for City Council consideration. She stated the Comprehensive Plan could be amended through the approval process; funding mechanisms could be changed; or the development could be approved with no changes, which would mean the end of the City’s participation in the LCA Program. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated the City Council could approve the Comprehensive Plan amendment but direct City Staff to research alternatives sites to re-guide at 8 units per acre. She added there are other potential sites in the City guided for low to medium density. She noted another option would be to direct the applicant to revise the plan to maintain 8 units per acre. City Council / August 10, 2021 Page 6 of 11