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Ramsey Boulevard NW (Project No. 23-113) <br />Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the City has received an <br />application from Kinghorn Construction on behalf of Jam Hopes for Site Plan review of a proposed <br />new indoor commercial recreation facility located at Ramsey Boulevard NW. Jam Hopes is <br />currently operating in a building just across the border in Anoka, however, they have been <br />informed that they will need to vacate their existing building. This site remains convenient for <br />existing clients while also providing an opportunity to grow the business. The subject property is <br />currently owned by the City and the applicant is working with the City's Economic Development <br />Manager on the land sale. <br />Board Member Salami asked if the applicant could be recommended to plant more trees once the <br />highway project is completed. <br />Senior Planner Anderson replied that the City would not come back to the business after this review <br />and approval process to require additional trees. He stated that the recommendation in this review <br />would be the final landscaping recommendations. He stated that it is his understanding that there <br />will not be any impact to this property as a result of the highway project. He stated that the <br />applicant and County are communicating to determine the location of the retaining wall to <br />determine how that will interact with this site. <br />Motion by Board Member Salami and seconded by Board Member Vikander to recommend <br />approval of the Tree Preservation and Landscape Plans, contingent upon compliance with staff's <br />review comments. <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Moore, Board Member Salami, Vikander, Bernard, <br />Hagerty, and Heffner. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Fetterley. <br />5.02: Consider the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Haviland Fields Project <br />Located at 14501 Nowthen Boulevard NW (Project No. 23-110); Case of <br />Presbyterian Homes Housing and Assisted Living <br />Senior Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that Presbyterian Homes Housing <br />and Assisted Living is contemplating a potential residential development of the Lord of Life <br />Lutheran Church property located at 14501 Nowthen Boulevard NW. The church would remain, <br />but the two existing single-family homes would be removed. Per Minnesota Rules 4410, any <br />proposed project consisting of 375 or more attached units is subject to an Environmental <br />Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The conceptual development consists of 476 dwelling units (split <br />between 22 townhouse units and three multi -family buildings). On August 8, 2023, the City <br />Council denied the applicant's request for financial assistance (TIF) and the developer is currently <br />rethinking funding strategies. However, an EAW is a planning document not intended to be used <br />to approve or deny a project. Additionally, EAWs are valid for five years, so should construction <br />costs decrease, it is possible that this project could proceed without funding assistance. Thus, it <br />makes sense to complete the review of the EAW should the applicant decide to move forward <br />without assistance in the future. <br />Chairperson Moore commented that she appreciated receiving the EAW in July as it was a long <br />document and that allowed more time for review. She stated that she does not have any comments <br />Environmental Policy Board / August 21, 2023 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />