Minutes - Planning Commission - 03/06/2000

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Troy Bergstrom, 14022 Dysprosium Street NW, Ramsey, stated that he takes his son to the Maple Grove community center and questioned why the city can't construct a community center on the site. Commissioner Johnson replied that the cities of Anoka, Andover and Ramsey are looking into constructing a community center, but not in that location. Ms. Ellingson questioned if it was possible to vote to change the zoning from high density to Iow density. Chairperson Anderson replied that the Comprehensive Plan as recommended by the Planning Commission and the City Council was forwarded to the Met Council showing the site as high density. The Met Council has to approve the plan and then the City Council would have to approve the plan. He felt that a change could be made, but was unsure how they would go about it. Commissioner Dempsey stated that the best thing the residents can do is contact City Staff. The City Council would need to authorize public hearings to reassign the land use of the property and that would take an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, assuming it is approved as written. Amy Erickson, 14101 Dysprosium Street NW, Ramsey, stated that she is disappointed in the political process. Chairperson Anderson replied that the City has gone through a process for over two years to develop the Comprehensive Plan; he thinks the City has tried in every way to include citizens and apologized if they are disappointed in the process. Marchie Fautsch, 14132 Barium Street NW, Ramsey, stated that she is a single parent and lived in the area for many years. She explained that if her 15 year old misses the bus in the morning she has to walk to school and there is no safe way for her to get there. As a resident of seven years she had never heard of the Comprehensive Plan and expressed disappointment with the way it has been handled. The City should be concerned with the safety of their children since the children are the future and the City needs to make a safe environment for them. Chris Bulow, 9380 Napier Avenue NE, Otsego, stated that he feels the rezoning of the property to high density is an improvement over the commercial zoning. He explained that the commercial zoning of the property could substantially increase traffic, ten fold over what is proposed with his residential development. Commissioner Johnson questioned if the development plan was done based on the proposed Comprehensive Plan zoning. Mr. Bulow replied that he was contacted by the property owner, who is a relative, stating that they wanted to do something with the property. In turn, he had conversations with the City a Planning Commission/March 6, 2000 Page 14 of 25