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

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am writing to you today, as a concerned community member of Ramsey. I have lived in the Sweet Bay Ridge development since 2009. When we decided to build our home, we looked for land in various cities across Anoka County and fell in love with the peaceful, rural wooded area in Ramsey. We were excited with Central Park close by for our children to play and for us to take walks. I have enjoyed watching the deer come to my backyard to visit through the years. I have felt for the most part, this neighborhood is safe, but we have had a few incidents of vandalization and speeders on Variolite through the years. We voiced our concerns about the safety of our children crossing Variolite, due to speeding and a slight hill between 161St& 163rd, which makes it difficult to see an approaching car or pedestrian.The city conducted a traffic study. Just recently,the road was repaved to make it narrower and to include a crosswalk with flashers. recently heard about the possibility of rezoning, 7633 161St Avenue,to make it a lot for public/institutional and no longer residential. When we bought our land to build, we were very aware of the future home of St. Katharine Drexel and were okay with having a church close to our home. My family built our home, knowing this quiet, residential,wooded area was zoned for a church and homes. We never thought an area by a city park would become a location for a business. We already have had concerns about the speeding down Variolite, and the view obstruction of the hill and now you are adding more traffic to our area. According to the plan,the traffic pattern will be going down Variolite, 1615t and 163rd. I wanted to make you aware that 161s'and 163rd are both entrances/exits to our development. I am wondering how we will get out of our development for work/school during the high peak school hours when both roads will be used. Will you be using taxpayer money to tear up our newly paved road to add a stoplight,turn lanes, and other accommodations for buses and traffic volume? Has the money you put forth in repaving Variolite, now gone to waste? How will buses make a left-hand turn onto 1615t if traffic is coming down Variolite after dropping off kids? How will 2 large residential developments exit in the morning when we only have one road, Variolite to drive down. I also believe another new development, off Variolite, with approximately 150 homes, may also be exiting onto Variolite. also want to address the increase in noise and lighting that will occur when the stadium is placed in a middle of a residential area. Because this land is located on higher ground then Sweet Bay Ridge,we currently have the noise of Central Park when they have sporting events on the weekends and weeknights. Now by adding a stadium, we will not only have the increase of noise and traffic for the park, but should you decide to vote yes, it will be adding even more noise, lights, and traffic to our residential neighborhood. We may never get a break and will lose the rural feel of Ramsey. I am in no way opposed to PACT charter school expanding and building, but I do not feel this small residential neighborhood is equipped for increase traffic& noise. I drive around the COR and off Hwy 10 to see many signs for sale on empty lots. The COR is off Hwy 10 and roads are already constructed for high volume. I understand by voting yes to have this lot rezoned, you are helping a church who desperately wants to build and a school in the same situation. I would like for you to consider how this will affect the environment of Ramsey. I feel it would be beneficial to look over the last traffic study that was conducted and consider the ultimate cost of repairing roads, sewer, etc. before you vote. I am asking for you to please listen to the concerned residents in this area who will be affected of your decision on a daily basis.Thank you for your time. Rebecca Marcoux