Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/30/2006 - Ramsey Town Center

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Ramsey Crossings Zoning District By: Patrick Tmdgeon, AICP, Community Development Director Background: The City has initiated a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the redevelopment of the area generally west of Armstrong Blvd and north of Highway 10 (Ramsey Crossings). This area is currently part of the Town Center zoning district. This redevelopment project will require some revision of the zoning standards for this area. Staff is bringing a draft code revision before the Planning Commission on June 1 st for discussion prior to the scheduling of a public hearing. It is expected that this entire area will be acquired and developed by one master developer and will contain larger-scale commercial uses than are intended for the Town Center (such as big-box retail). The area is currently zoned TC-2, which is not intended to accommodate this scale of commercial development. Because this district is expected to be developed by one master developer, Staff has taken a different approach in drafting a new B-3 Business District for the area. Rather than assuming a lot-by-lot development pattern and listing specific setbacks and lot standards (as is the case in the B-1 and Bo2 zoning districts), the draft code is written to require a Master Plan for the entire district, and lays out performance standards that will be used to guide the development of that plan. For example, rather than requiring a set number of trees per foot of site perimeter, the draft code requires a Landscape Plan that integrates a wide variety of plantings throughout the site in order to soften and shade parking areas, line sidewalks and streets, accent building entrances, and break up large building facades. This represents a different approach to zoning than the City has taken in the past and will require a different review process for development within this area. Staff is proposing to utilize the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process, and to approve a Master Plan as a Preliminary Site Plan under the PUD requirements. Under this idea, once the City has approved a Master Plan that meets the performance standards in the proposed code, any significant changes to the Master Plan would require the developer to process a revised Preliminary Site Plan for the entire site. A final site plan would be processed for each phase of the project as they are constructed, ensuring compliance with the Master Plan. A copy of the draft ordinance is attached to this case. Action Statement: The City Council should review the proposed ordinance and give Staff feedback on the proposed language. Reviewed by: City Administrator CCWS: 05/30/06