Agenda - Council - 08/27/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Plan Amendment The Comprehensive Plan previously identified approximately one-third of the property for High Density Residential(HDR-up to 15 units per acre) and two-thirds as Public/Institutional uses. The amount of HDR land does not allow for the proposed number of units nor the density that is proposed(20.27 units per acre). The Comprehensive Plan does have a category that would allow for the residential uses and the Lord of Life Church- Mixed Use High(15-75 units per acre). This designation is proposed based on consultation with Ramsey's local planning assistance representative at the Metropolitan Council. It should be noted that the property retained for the religious use,the wetlands, and the park dedication areas are not factored into the density calculation. The applicant noted that if they were included,the site would be just under the 15 units per acre threshold found in the cut-off between Medium and High densities. A copy of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan's Land Use section is attached to this report for reference. Two Comprehensive Plan amendment resolutions were adopted by the City Council and then forwarded to the Metropolitan Council for formal review. The Metropolitan Council signed off on the land use change on August 14 and is placed into effect. Now,the adoption of the rezoning ordinance and site plan review resolution may be considered by the City Council. Rezoning The site is currently zoned in three "stripes" - R-1 A along the western one-third of the property, R-2 in the middle one-third, and R-3 along the eastern one-third. The existing zoning would allow for some of the proposed development to occur,but not all the requested units. To accommodate the proposed development and the remaining Lord of Life Church, a Planned Unit Development(PUD)is proposed. A PUD is a distinct district that is tailored for a specific development that cannot otherwise be accomplished though a traditional zoning district. The northwestern corner of the property is proposed to be zoned P (Parks and Open Space)to accommodate the park dedication area. The R-3 district allows the religious use,but only up to 15 residential units per acre. The rezoning ordinance lays out the standards for the PUD. The proposed PUD will reference the R-3 standards while allowing the density increase. It will also discuss shared amenities such as parking and access drives. The introduction of the rezoning ordinance was passed in May. Site Plan Review The Zoning Code requires a Site Plan Review for all townhome and multifamily developments in the community. The intent of this review is to ensure adherence to City Code and to provide public input into larger developments like this. Building Use and Design Two multifamily residential buildings are proposed. A 160-unit senior apartment building would stand four stories tall along Nowthen Boulevard. The units would come in 1- and 2-bedroom floorplans and some of each would have dens. The 280-unit all-ages building would also be four stories in height,though tucked back from Nowthen Boulevard closer to St. Francis Boulevard. The all-ages building would have units ranging in size from 1-to 3-bedrooms. Along the northern part of the site are ten twinhome buildings for twenty units of senior one-level townhome rentals. The townhomes (noted as "Park Homes" on the plans)will all have two bedrooms with a den. The twinhome buildings will have a slightly larger footprint and shorter height than the adjacent single-family homes. All of the buildings (apartments and townhomes)will have a mix of some of the same building materials (brick and fiber cement panel). However, they are not being designed to look alike,rather coordinated. Additionally,the all-ages building will have some block and lap siding. The townhomes will have the same fiber cement lap siding and panels that are found on the other buildings. The materials meet the requirements of City Code. It should be noted that the City's new rental licensing and inspections program has been implemented. This program ensures the quality of the living conditions of Ramsey residents living in rental housing. It also has a crime-free component that will work with the Police Department on matters that could occur on the property.