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-649- <br /> <br />.... CASE # 1 <br /> <br />CONSIDER SIC&TEBO.~27LD USE POLICY <br />By: Leonard Linton, Civil Engineer II <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The Ramsey Town Center development will have sidewalks adjacent to commercial and <br />retail developments as well as public plaza areas. Large expanses, of concrete tend to <br />attract skateboarders which can cause safety concerns for other residents..Staff was <br />asked to investigate skateboard policies in other communities with the goal of defining a <br />policy or ordinance on the use of skateboards in the Ramsey Town Center development. <br /> <br />Observation: <br /> <br />Staff requested skateboard policies from other Cities via email. The responses are <br />tabulated on the attached sheet. Cities with downtown business districts generally <br />defined areas where skateboard use is prot'fibited. Most districts are defined by st.reets;. <br />however, there were a couple'of Cities that used zoning ~iistricts. One City, Andover, <br />does not exclude skateboard use in their ordinance; instead they define a trail in a park <br />where skateboard use is allowed. Two Cities post signs in conjunct/on with their <br />ordinance. Several respondents indicated that enforcement of the ordinance is difficult; <br />these comments came from Cities that do not post signs. Some of the ordinances <br />specifically mentioned penalties, while for the remainder the penalties_were inferred fi.om <br />the general section of their code book. Impounding the skateboard is the first act of <br />enforcement for several cities; admirdstering the impounds may require additional staff <br />time and resources. <br /> <br />Northfield posts signs. A local blogger has dedicated space to the sig-ns. Several residents <br />have posted favorable comments on the policy. Ali of the responses from City engineers <br />and their ordinances are 'attached for your review. <br /> <br />Staff Recommendation: <br /> <br />Staff recommends developing a policy or ordinance on skateboard use in Ramsey Town' <br />Center. The policy should define areas where skateboards may not be used due to the <br />anticipated number of' pedestrians using the sidewalks. The policy could be developed <br />and put in place now before residents move in. The policy could be amended as Ramsey <br />Town Center continues to develop and additional areas are added that should be reserved <br />for pedestr/ans. <br /> <br /> <br />