1999 Correspondence - Laserfiche WebLink

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I "" Memo To: City of Raly Attn: Mayor Tom Gamec 15153 Nowthen Blvd N.W. Ramsey, MN 55303 e RRCEIVED AUG 11 1999 From: Kevin Wolter - Project Head and Rosemary Wolter - Landowner BY: Kevin Wolter 10785 Las Colinas Way Jacksonville, FL 32222 H: (904) 317-4721 W: (904) 313-5829 Rosemary Wolter 11800 Eldorado St N.W. Coon Rapids, MN H: (612) 421-1469 (Apt #114) 55433 Date: August 7, 1999 Subject: Year 2000 Development - New Golf Course and Residential Community Mr. Gamec: As you know I've had a plan in the works to develop my family property since the early 1990's and we're very close to making it happen. J've been following the discussions of the comprehensive plan fairly closely as of late and I had originally thought it was going to be approved last year. However, I know you've asked the Metro Council for many extensions and I trust you're on the home stretch. I also realize your final discussions are at a critical juncture centering around the concept of 'c1usterinq'. As such I thought it was appropriate to provide my opinion of clustering since this function is going to be critical to our project. The shape of the property and the limitations with Trott brook/wetlands make clustering within a PUD a real possibility. Background: I'm sure you've heard my idea of building a golf facility with a residential component and that's still what's on the plate. I do not want this land to be 'houses only' given the location and amenities of the property. Coordinating the residential community with the golf course, brook and wetlands should result in a very appealing development. Conceptually the project will be very unique as to how the residential community will be married to the golf facility although they will operate as two separate entities. I believe this project will enhance the City of Ramsey and I am committed to ensure the project is professionally done so that the landowners, developer's residents and the city are all winners. However, there will certainly be compromises from each group. The city does play an important role in that we need flexibility within the comprehensive plan for various types of clustering. I want to ensure the course design and residential layout fit together properly and safely - this is where clustering may be very important. Our keys to success will be based on these three items: 1. The approval of the new comprehensive plan which will relax the 4-40 guideline south of Trott brook to an overall 2-1/2 acres per residence 2. Allowing 'clustering' of residential units in any configuration that meets the overall guidelines, I presume under a PUD. 3. Getting the approvals through the City and Metro Council in a timely fashion this year in order that we can begin work with the city to finalize the plan and begin construction early next spring. As a landowner in Ramsey for over 40 years my family and I have seen the community evolve over time, as does every community. Prior to the mid-1970's I think we could generally call Ramsey a rural community but this has been changing for many years. Today I'm not sure many outsiders looking at Ramsey would consider the city as being very 'rural' at all - and that's not all bad from an evolutionary point of view. I hope the evolution of the city will continue to grow rather than become stagnant. What's worse, that 5-10 years from now we aren't all wishing things had been done differently in 1999 while we watch areas further outside the metro area pass Ramsey by and we're trapped.