Minutes - Council - 07/25/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Gamec commented there are places in the City where all the trees that had been preserved were cut down by the property owner. Councilmember Strommen noted there is not much that can be done to preserve the trees that are on private property; however, trees located in the wetland buffer area are protected. Councilmember Elvig commented there are many homeowners planting new trees on their property. Councilmember Strommen indicated the Environmental Policy Board tried to do a public education piece with the Ramsey Tree Book and encourage people to plant trees appropriate for the site. Motion by Councilmember Strommen, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to introduce the proposed ordinance to amend City Code Section 9.24 (Tree Preservation). Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Strommen, Cook, Elvig, Jeffrey, Olson, and Pearson. Voting No: None. Case #9: Introduce Ordinance Establishing Section 9.20.28 (B-3 Business District) in Chapter 9 of City Code; Case of City of Ramsey Community Development Director Trudgeon explained this proposed B-3 Business District would cover the Ramsey Crossings development. Because this district will be developed by one master developer, staff has taken a different approach in drafting new zoning regulations for the area. Rather than assuming a lot-by-Iot development pattern and listing specific setbacks and lot standards, the proposed 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 the plan. Mr. Trudgeon explained 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 district. 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. 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. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed code at their June 1 and July 10 meetings, and suggested several changes to the Permitted Uses list and Intent statement in order to clarify that this zoning district should be complementary, but not in competition for the Town Center District on the east side of Armstrong Boulevard. Motion by Councilmember Pearson, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to introduce an ordinance to establish City Code Section 9.20.28 (B-3 Business District.) City Council! July 25, 2006 Page 15 of 20