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

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Motion by Councilmember Specht, seconded by Councilmember Heineman, to adopt Resolution #22-050 granting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to re-guide a portion of the Subject Property to Public/Institutional. Further Discussion: Councilmember Specht asked if there were any comments online. Councilmember Heineman commented that he understood the residents’ apprehension and stated he has been a long time Ramsey resident as well and has seen the development in the City. He stated he will be voting in support of this and responded to the concerns raised. He mentioned the word “stadium” but stated the field where kids will be playing sports with a track and bleachers is categorized as a stadium that may be presenting a false reality. He played football in Central Park and understand the lights and that there would be lighting added in the area but not to the level that is a great magnitude. He also commented on water management that plans will be put in place to mitigate water. Councilmember Heineman stated that Ramsey couldn’t legally allow a building to be built that would flood other houses. He also responded to the comment that the Council isn’t thinking of Ramsey residents but there were many residents in support of this. As far as there being enough room to build or not, the right location will be determined through the planning phases. To the point that it is unsafe, that there haven’t been traffic accidents that have happened because of students and building a school in a neighborhood makes it safer because it gets more attention from law enforcement. He stated change takes time. Brian Walker, 17289 Variolite Street, stated he is on the Planning Commission and was the vote against sending this to the City Council. He asked Mr. Anderson what the proposed site is for the church zoned as. Senior Planner Anderson replied the subject property is currently zoned R-1 residential MUSA-80. Mr. Walker asked if that is from Variolite to Central Park. Senior Planner Anderson confirmed this. Mr. Walker commented online that the church is being allowed to change the zoning and get the church there but they have to go through the same process as PACT so assuming that there is going to be a church next to the potential school is wrong. He also stated that when people bought homes in the area they did that based on the current zoning and that changing the rules is not fair without some type of compensation. He hoped the City Council would take into account the effects on the residents. Senior Planner Anderson asked, based on the current motion, if the Council would consider adding a fourth point in the resolution which would incorporate the contingency about the Preliminary Plat that was a part of the motion for record keeping if the motion were approved. Councilmember Riley stated they aren’t considering changing the zoning blindly, it would be for one specific purpose, which if it doesn’t end up going forward would revert back. Councilmember Woestehoff stated that he lives within the notification area for this project and would be able to see what develops. He stated he has concerns with the size of this school on the proposed lot. He understood that it doesn’t have to abide by MDE suggestions as a Charter school but if the guidelines have requirements it doesn’t matter where the money comes from. He stated his biggest concern is the access off of Variolite Street that the hill is really rough but adding another point of entry there would add traffic. He stated if it was closer to the park the concerns with drainage and traffic would be less. He stated the drainage issues need to be addressed City Council /March 8, 2022 Page 13 of 38