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

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Case #5: Request for Authorization to Proceed with Tree Removal Efforts in the Proposed Plat of Sweetbay Ridge; Case of Oak~vood Land Development Assistant Public Works Director Olson reviewed that Sweetbay Ridge received preliminary plat approval on August 23, 2005. The subject property has been documented to have contamination from lead shot. One of the conditions of the preliminary plat approval was that the City will not accept an application for final plat approval without a Certificate of Completion from MPCA for site clean-up. In order to facilitate site clean-up, some of the trees will have to be removed from the property. City policy does not permit for site preparation until the final plans have been approved. This presents a hardship for the developer in this case because site clean-up must precede submittal of final plans. The City has received a request from Oakwood Land Development to commence tree removal prior to final plat approval to facilitate site clean-up. A final tree removal plan was submitted with the request. Mr. Olson advised in accordance with staff comments in the Review Letter dated August 2, 2005, removal of oak trees should not occur between April 15 and July 15 to prevent the spread of oak wilt disease. From a construction standpoint, the timing is also appropriate to commence tree removal to facilitate the trunk utility alignment and necessary clearing in the wetland mitigation area. Staff is suggesting that all public right-of-way also be cleared, as this time of the year is optimal for controlling the spread of oak wilt. Staff has reviewed and approved the final Tree Removal Plan and recommends implementation of the same with the three conditions outlined in the staff report. Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to approve the implementation of the tree removal plan for the proposed plat of Sweetbay Ridge with conditions as recommended by staff. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Pearson. Voting No: None. Strommen. Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Cook, Olson, Jeffrey, and Abstain: Councilmember Elvig. Absent: Councilmember Case #6: Consideration of Redevelopment of Ramsey Crossings Area (West of Armstrong Boulevard) for Economic Development Purposes City Administrator Norman reviewed that during the work session held on January 18, 2006, staff presented a redevelopment study for the area west of Armstrong Boulevard. The area of the study, referred to as Ramsey Crossings, is adjacent to the Ramsey Town Center project, and has been discussed as a development or redevelopment project for a number of years. It is the belief of staff that this area should be developed in a way that provides for commercial, retail and office opportunities that both areas would benefit from. The new development area is not intended to be a Ramsey Town Center II; rather it is intended to be an area that, while different in development configuration and providing for different types and scale of development, is a complement to Ramsey Town Center uses. The Ramsey Town Center study that has been provided to the Council should be officially adopted by the City Council by motion. Councilmember Elvig questioned if the area being designated includes the portions of land that Pulte is involved with. City Council / February 14, 2006 Page 11 of 26