Agenda - Council - 10/11/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Woestehoff stated that he worked for a landscape company almost 30 years ago and asked if there would be additional outside storage, such as mulch or other materials that would be kept in the outdoor area. Mr. Hockert replied that he has owned his business for 30 years and has never stocked any landscaping material. He stated that if there is excess material, such as block, he returns that after the job is completed. He noted that he has another business he works with that does mulch and that type of work. Matt Kuker, PSD LLC, stated that this is bittersweet. He commented that they recently constructed the strip mall adjacent to this site and bought that property with the intention that the COR zoning would be along Armstrong. He stated that he has invested $2,500,000 into the strip mall with interest from three national food users looking at the pad lot. He understands that the person owns the lot, but national users do not want to be across the street from a landscaping business. He stated that when PSD purchased the property from the City, it should have been better disclosed that the COR zoning would not immediately be implemented along Armstrong. He commented that Lawn Monster is behind their property as only that first row along Armstrong falls within COR zoning standards. He stated that they built an area appropriate building, making a big investment and doing the work to market the property. He understood the difficult position the applicant is in but noted that he is also attempting to do his job in promoting Ramsey and bringing businesses like Adrenaline, industrial users, and the VA to Ramsey. He stated that he purchased an adjacent property already to avoid having to look at semi -trailers on that site. He stated that there have been different messages from the City on when redevelopment would occur in this area and when standards would be enacted. He commented that the property along Armstrong is prime, and he would hate to see the applicant invest this money into his site for five years of use. He acknowledged that this is a difficult situation. Acting Chairperson Oengler asked and received clarification on the pad site mentioned. Mr. Kuker replied that he has one concept for another strip mall but noted that he is attempting to pursue a restaurant user as that is the desire of the Council and residents. He stated that he has interest from two national brands and one local brand and would hate for them to have this view from their windows as that pad is directly across the street from this site. Councilmember woestehoff noted the potential sports dome sites and asked if that proposed access would come from 147th. Mr. Luker commented that the reason staff wants to push the fence back is because of the proposed widening of 147th. Planning Manager Larson provided a copy of an email received today that was provided to the Commission and will become a part of the public record. Commissioner Anderson commented that the Commission is in a difficult position, as the previous speaker stated. He stated that after receiving the input from Mr. Kuker, he asked the possibility of hiding the property behind trees along the fence line. Planning Commission/ August 25, 2022 Page 10 of 27