Agenda - Council - 03/08/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To whom it may concern, I am writing in opposition to the proposed rezoning of the property located at the intersection of 161 S,Ave and Variolite Street adjacent to Central Park. There are a number of reasons why the rezoning of this parcel should not be allowed, Among them traffic and safety,inconsistency of zoning for this use and environmental concerns. I would like you to also consider disruption of use that will be inflicted upon the adjoining and nearby residents. I have looked to the 2 other schools in the City of Ramsey to see what similar areas zoned for this use look like. I was unable to get complete statistics on the other schools in short notice.My estimates are closest estimates based on calls to the district,the schools and internet resources.I have attached arial layouts from the 2 already constructed schools and the proposed PACT school. Both Brookside and Ramsey have access point only along County Highway 5 also known as Nowthen Blvd. Both schools have access which allow safe access in and out for busses. PACT has 2 access point along a residential street.This access is contemplated for busses to enter and exit the parcel within feet of a residential driveway.A potential for a secondary access thru an adjoining parcel is not guaranteed. Even if the access is obtained thru the adjoining parcel to Variolite,that road is also not designed to handle this volume of traffic. In addition,there is nothing to stop any traffic from the school from turning back onto the residential road of 16 Is,Ave NW. Both Brookside and Ramsey have access direct to County Highway 5,a County Highway designed for this type of use. PACT currently has residential street and possible a larger street neither designed for or likely to provide reasonable sightlines for the incoming and exiting traffic. PACT will need to have traffic from the school proceed through a number of smaller roads before coming to a collector street. The residential street of 16111 Ave NW cannot handle the increased traffic unless it is expanded significantly.A cost that would not be necessary but for the rezoning of this parcel. Currently the roads that may become secondary roads for PACT traffic,Xenolith St and 1591h Avenue are likely to see increased volume of traffic and safety concerns if this parcel is rezoned. Will the city be adding sidewalks to these roads so that those residents can be safe on their street?Will the cost for this improvement be borne by the taxpayers or the applicant? It is unlikely these roads would need improvement of this type but for increased traffic. The current schools in the city have been located on roads designed for this this type of traffic and the greatest possible safety they still face challenges. This parcel does not have the benefit of direct access to a collector street thereby pushing the burden of the traffic and the lack of safe road conditions onto the local residents and the cost of redesigning these roads to the taxpayers. A traffic study needs to look at this as well. Another difference that should be pointed out is that since PACT will be a high school there needs to be cons iderations for students driving to the school. This is an additional traffic source not seen in elementary schools that should be receiving students via bussing and walking. PACT services statewide students not just local students so traffic from parent drop off may be increased based on lack of availability of bussing. This means additional traffic in the form of individual cars.The resulting traffi c will come in the form of twice a day traffic at the beginning and end of the day as well as sporadic traffic all day five days a week. It will also include special events and sporting events consisting of spectators and visitors these event tend to be larger more frequent and generate In addition to the traffic from the proposed school and possible church information from the agenda contemp lates expansion of the park use that will also increase traffi c. No study has yet looked at the current expanding traffic from Central Park let alone expanding traffic from the park a new school and a church. The proposed church will also have traffic impacts both on Sundays and possible for daily mass as is advertised on their current website. What happens if all of the uses on the residential street of 1 6 1 m