Agenda - Council - 02/14/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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area, having been extended in 2004. The properties that contain structures are served by private wells and individual septic systems. The potential for future environmental concerns from the individual wells and septic systems needs to be factored in when thinking of the long-tcm~ desirability of maintaining the status quo in the area. (It should be noted that there has not been any reports in the last few years regarding the failure of wells or septic systems in this area). Given the proximity of the City sewer and water facilities to the study area, hookup to the municipal services will be required by the City. Allowing piecemeal hookup of municipal services wilt lead to more cost to the landowners and City taxpayers, will lead to a less efficient sanitary sewer and water system, and potentially create inconsistent development patterns in the study area. The land immediately to the west of the study area (and west of the future Mississippi River Bridge transportation corridor) is currently planned for 606 residential un/ts and over 20 acres of commercial development. To serve these properties, municipal utilities will be extended to these properties north of the Ramsey Crossings area. If the Ramsey Crossings area is redeveloped, additional options to serve the western properties with utilities will be possible. Absent any redevelopment in the Ramsey Crossings area, additional pipe will need to be constructed and system efficiencies (i.e. water main looping) will be limited and will increase the cost to the City in operating the systems. Multiple parcels andowner: The Ra.msey Crossings area contains 16 parcels with 13 different owners. Efforts by the private sector to assemble all of the parcels will prove to be difficult given the fact that the 13 different property owners may have 13 different ideas on how their land should be utilized. The City does not desire to have piecemeal development that will lead to disparate uses. With the proximity of the Ramsey Town Center as well as regional transportation systems, the current use (or lack of use) in the study area is not desirable. Without one entity assembling all of the parcels, it will be very difficult for the Ramsey Crossings area to develop as envisioned in the Ramsey Comprehensive Plan. The City would prefer tha( a private entity assemble all of the land. However, the City recognizes that given the number of parcels and owners, this may be difficult to accomplish. Therefore, to assist the assembly of the land that will lead to future development consistent with the Ramsey Comprehensive Plan, the City will need tO be partner in any redevelopment in the Ramsey Crossings area. Tax base expansion: As described previously in this study, the Ramsey Crossings has a variety of different uses, ranging from vacant parcels to multi-tenant retail. The majority of the uses~ with only a few exceptions, contain principal structures. Many of the parcels contain small buildings that are only accessory in nature (i.e. storage buildings). Coupling these "accessory buildings" with the vacant parcels and outdoor storage areas, the Kamsey Crossings area does not have a very large tax value. Redevelopment of the study area will lead to more permanent uses and larger principal buildings and in mm increase the tax base for the City. Given the level of improvement of the transportation network in the immediate area (Hwy. 10, Armstrong Blvd., Ramsey Blvd., Bunker Lake Blvd.) that is needed even without development in the Ramsey Crossings area, additional tax base will allow for the City to better address the transportation systems the City and its taxpayers face. Transportation corridor: The Ramsey Crossings study area is surrounded by several existing and future transportation corridors. They include the BNS&F railroad and Hwy. 10 to the south, County Road 83 (Armstrong Blvd.) to the east, County Road 116 (Bunker Lake Blvd.) to the -260- 28