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,,:cmmunity collaboration and we intend to ma~'e them an active partner in Ramsey~. <br /> <br />Transportation Alternatives: It will be critical to understand'Where we are (and where we will <br />be) with ,:ransportadon initiatives tn the upcoming years. Transportation choices typically not <br />,:bought o I' tn suburban settings must be explored and advocated for; these choices include transit, <br />biking (md walking trails and how these can best be linked to the regional transportation center in <br />T',),,vn C~mter. We need to understand the interplay between land use choices and transportation. <br />Vv e need to team how the [and use choices affect the transportation knfrastructure as well as how <br />~r;,_nsportation options can affect land use patterns. Finally,. it ts clear that the gasoline prices <br />t:b~:e:casr fi, r the next few years require all communities to rethink how community design can <br />encoura~;e [hel e~ciency. <br /> <br />innovative Zoning. While we are familiar with the efforts of other communities such as Maple <br />Gi'ove to develop alternative zoning codes such as points~based zoning, these efforts thus far <br />have involved only limited areas. Ramsey wants to explore Smart Growth zoning options that <br />would cover the entire city. This would become one of the largest Smart Growth areas in the <br />Twin Cities and would serve as a model for other outer ring communities situated in the <br />a'tmsi, tion zone between urban and rural. The City would like to build an understanding with the <br />citizearv and policy makers of these more flexible development techniques (i.e., performance <br />b~sed zoning codes). One model that has attracted our attention is a Florida community with a <br />:¢imilar :,mmunt of developable [and that has created as series of"villages" or overlay districts <br />that f'ollow the New Urbanism concept that no one live more than walking distance from <br />shopping, parks and recreation. <br /> <br />C{~ m m u n i ty E c o 1o gy. Typic ally environmental policy has often looked at environmental <br />f'e:_t~res in isolation rather than as part of a community-wide ecosystem. They may strive to <br />?r¢zser,/t: a particularly striking or unique feature while ignoring the larger environmental <br />c~;nser4uences of other policies. This leaves them' with a pretty park surrounded by <br />er~vironmentally-questionable sprawl The City of Ramsey is blessed by many natural resources; <br />fl~e _x/[is~b;sippi and Rum Rivers, Troll Brook, several lakes, and thousands of acres of wetlands. <br />A.; dcwdopment occurs, all of these resources will be impacted. The City has made efforts in the <br />past years to address these impacts by creating an Environmental Policy Board and adopting the <br />u'r;e t~reservation and wetland buffer ordinances. However, we can and should go farther in <br />insuring these resources ~br future generations. We know protecting environmental resources can <br />bo. pro lafizing. The City would like to build capacity with citizens, policy makers, and staff to <br />understand the importance of Ramsey resources and create ways that natural resources and <br />development may fbrm true ecologically sound neighborhoods. <br /> <br />Vv e propose to bring in national and regional experts in the four areas for a three,pan process. <br /> ~,~t ,;rill involve public meetings tbr Ramsey citizens as well as those of suxounding <br />communities. Given the unique oppomuni~ to hear from these expems, Ramsey will host these <br />events ~br all interested communities. The desired outcome is to not only increase regional <br />krTowled~e but also to encourage regional dialogue. The second pag will involve the expels <br />meedn~ jointly with City staff, City Council and Pla~ing Commission members to continue the <br />c~al ;~jue ~tarred with the ibrums. Finally these expels will spend intensive time with CiW staff <br />,.e build '.:heir capacity on the identified issues. <br /> <br />stage o:f Ramsey3 involves Open Space Technology. (OST). First conceived by <br /> <br /> <br />