Laserfiche WebLink
Interim City Administrator/Community Dev. Director Hagen recognized that there seems to be <br /> general support for the park and perhaps it would be helpful for staff to put some numbers together <br /> to develop an estimate for that cost. <br /> Mayor Kuzma commented that will be an important piece to drawing retail to this area. <br /> Planning Commissioner Gengler agreed with Councilmember Heineman on the desired type of <br /> retail, focusing more on local trade rather than big box retail. She asked the zoning across <br /> Armstrong and whether that would also be retail. <br /> Interim City Admin/Community Dev. Director Hagen replied that the west side of Armstrong <br /> would likely be retail while west of Ferret would be low impact industrial. <br /> Planning Commissioner Gengler commented that the retail could mirror each other, and housing <br /> could mirror itself as well. <br /> Community Development Director/Deputy City Admin Hagen stated that perhaps staff comes <br /> back with a few exhibits to show the separation of retail and housing on parcel 2B. <br /> Acting Mayor Riley confirmed the consensus of the group with that direction. <br /> Economic Development Manager Sullivan commented that there is a critical mass required for <br /> housing which is modeled in the Centra proposal that could be impacted if a third retail area is <br /> added. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff commented that he agrees with the comments of staff thus far. He <br /> referenced the Centra plan and stated that although he agrees with a desire for more retail in that <br /> area, he believes that the major thoroughfare line should be the dividing line for retail and <br /> residential. He believed it would make sense to leave that separation as proposed in the Centra <br /> Plan with the City roads being the divider. He agreed that walkability is incredibly important, <br /> including the trail structure. He stated that one of the items that continues to receive several <br /> variances is related to the entrance to a building from Sunwood. He believed that should not <br /> continue to deviate if the desire is walkability. <br /> Acting Mayor Riley commented that the park comes with a large price tag and while everyone <br /> would like the park, the cost is a challenge. <br /> Planning Commission Chair Bauer commented that the pond and park can create a good <br /> environment to attract restaurants, retail, and people. He stated that there could be a combination <br /> of retail and park around the pond. <br /> Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood commented that the greenspace and <br /> amenities are well mapped out on the east side of Zeolite. He stated that the park would serve <br /> those that live downtown and would also be a destination for the residents of Ramsey at large as <br /> well as drawing in people from other communities that will frequent the shops and restaurants. He <br /> noted that he continues to hear a desire for the splashpad and stated that would be a draw from <br /> City Council Joint Work Session/May 11, 2022 <br /> Page 5 of 16 <br />