Minutes - Planning Commission - 02/02/2006

Home

He stated they will be looking at a high quality development, with a lot of stone and brick, and classic architecture. Vice Chairperson Johnson stated he would also open Case #5, sketch plan review of Skyline Pointe. Josie Helmbrecht, 15201 Quicksilver Lane, indicated that she wanted to reiterate what she was heating others say. She stated she moved from a townhouse in Blaine to Ramsey for the back yard. She indicated there is no one behind her, adding that she will be smarter next time she moves in checking what could be planned. She stated the question is what they can do as residents, and who is the ultimate body for decisions. Vice Chairperson Johnson indicated that the City Council will make the final decision, and the Planning Commission is only an advisory board. Robert Knoll, 6020 151st Lane, indicated that he knows the Planning Commission is going to move this on. Vice Chairperson Johnson commented that the Planning Commission has not made any decisions on this case. Mr. Knoll read housing policies from the City's Comprehensive Plan. He stated his argument is that this amendment will be opposed to those policies. He indicated that the property around this is single-family homes, and it will be banded on all four sides with single-family homes. He stated he would say it does not fit within this neighborhood or with the Comprehensive Plan housing policies. He indicated that the next step would be to rezone, however State Statute says that to rezone you have to either show that the original zoning was in error, or the character of the area or times and conditions have changed so much as to warrant rezoning. He stated that he does not think it applies. Mr. Knoll stated that his final point would be to quote the applicant; townhomes, townhomes, townhouse. He indicated that the idea was to provide life cycle housing in the city, in areas defined for higher density housing. He stated there is not a need for more townhomes in the city. He indicated that last year Ramsey issued building permits for 91 single-family homes and 300 townhomes. He stated there is plenty of capacity to meet the need. He indicated that he understands they have to do a sketch plan review, but that does not refute the fact that it is against the goals in the Comprehensive Plan. Vice Chairperson Johnson noted that the Planning Commission also received comments from Mr. and Mrs. Moody, Mr. and Mrs. Ngo, and Mr. Tews. Glenn Weakly, 5931 151st Lane, stated he has spent 30 years in the business of logistics in the five state area, and his wife works with a City Council member. He indicated that he wants to bring up the development north of Alpine, which was medium density. He talked about other Planning Commission/February 2, 2006 Page 10 of 21