Minutes - Council - 05/09/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jim Maloney of John Oliver & Associates, Inc., representing the applicant, stated he has submitted a letter to the Council regarding the variance denial. He stated they have worked diligently through this process with the City on all of the various issues. The initial staff letter to Ron Tallman dated July 1, 2005, made no mention of cul-de-sac issues. The next City of Ramsey Review Letter dated January 27, 2006, discusses the temporary cul-de-sac. It was never raised as an issue that this cul-de-sac is an item that could derail the entire project. Mr. Maloney stated his letter dated today respectfully asks the Ramsey City Council to reconsider the variance denial by the Board of Adjustment. The current preliminary plat shows a 1,100 foot temporary cul-de-sac along Nutria Street. The Planning & Zoning Commission opted to deny the preliminary plat due to concems for public safety. He expressed frustration in that this issue was not brought up in the initial sketch plan review and approval in July of 2005. Their sketch plan was not denied, it was approved. Community Development Director Trudgeon stated sketch plans are not approved or denied; however, at the first sketch plan review the Council came out strongly stating this plat should not be developed at this time due to the access problems. Councilmember Cook noted he had suggested the applicant contact the adjacent property owner, and it was recommended this plat could go forward if them were two connections included. Mr. Maloney replied this is duly noted; however, in later correspondence staff did refer to the temporary cul-de-sac. In the meantime they have been responding to City comments requiring preparation of site grading and utility plans, a detailed design of the cluster septic wastewater treatment system, a wetland study and mitigation permit, a tree replacement plan, and a landscape plan. All of this work was done at a significant expenditure of time and money. He understands that the City is wary of temporary cul-de-sacs, and that some temporary cul-de-sacs have been that way for 20 years. However, in this case the adjacent Alicia subdivision was developed in 1997 or 1998, and 171st Avenue has been stubbed to the eastern limits of that subdivision. Mr. Maloney stated the temporary cul-de-sac is an interim condition. The preliminary platted streets align with the future regional street grid and provide for future developments to comprehensively connect. The owner of the property, Mr. Jim Lang, has suggested restricting parking along the proposed Nutria Street as a potential solution to City access and safety concerns until street connections are made to the adjacent developments. Eliminating parking from one or both sides of the street would significantly reduce congestion and improve access for fire trucks and other emergency responders. Mr. Lang also mentioned that two central lots could be dedicated for off-street parking until 171st Avenue or Nutria Street is ultimately extended. Mr. Maloney stated in his experience he has dealt with a number of temporary cul-de-sacs that match the comprehensive plan of the cities. This has been with consternation by the emergency responders, but he has seen things mesh together and ultimately development occurs in an orderly manner. If a 600-foot cul-de-sac is stubbed with three lots there will never be access to the adjacent area. This is one reason they are asking for some reconsideration on the variance issue. Mayor Gamec stated based on similar applications that have been denied he would have a difficult time voting in favor of this variance. He suggested the applicant contact the adjacent property owner. City Council / May 9, 2006 Page 12 of 30