Minor Amendment-MUSA Expansion Requests

Home

8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I plans for two (2) additional subdivisions which will provide for an additional 229 residential lots by the end of 1993-94. The total number of new lots with City services would be a total of 532 lots within the next five (5) years. It is recognized that the recent demand for residential permits per year may decline. The five (5) year historical average number of new residential building permits issued is 135 permits per year. However, in years with a large number of available lots with City services, the total number of building permits issued is greater. This is further supported by the figures from 1987 and 1988 in which it is assumed that housing starts will decline somewhat over the next eight (8) years (due to economic cycles, cost of homes, interest, etc.) to 75% of the five (5) year average, 100 permits a year would be issued. If the City is successful in encouraging development in the urban area rather than rural areas, 75% of the new homes will be developed in the urban area. An estimated 2.5 units per gross acre and 3.5 units per net developable acre, 22 acres of MUSA land per year would be absorbed by residential development. Over the eight (8) year time period from 1992 to 2000, 176 acres would be absorbed. The 117 acres of residential land that has been included in the 2000 MUSA would meet the anticipated demand through the year 1997, based on a declining rate of housing starts. By 1997 the City will be reviewing its projections for the next thirteen (13) years to estimate the future need of a major comprehensive plan amendment including an expansion of the MUSA.. In order to achieve the desired emphasis on development within sewered areas, an adequate supply of residential land must be available within the MUSA. By assuring an adequate supply of land, the City can achieve multiple goals consistent with regional policies. They are: Provide a variety of housing opportunities within the community in terms of development patterns, land use, and living styles. Encourage growth within the urban area by providing quality development opportunities. At the same time. development pressures within the rural area may be reduced. Enhance the City's economy by providing a growth oriented environment which encourages development in an orderly manner. Capture some of the urban development activity occurring in communities outside of the seven county area due to the leapfrogging caused by restricted development opportunities on the fringe of the Metropolitan Region. III. RURAL DENSITY Rural Character Figure 2 illustrates the existing character of Ramsey outside of the Metropolitan Urban Service Area. As shown, the City's non-sewered area has already undergone extensive development. Existing development ranges from minimum lot sizes of one (1 ) acre to larger and undeveloped lots or parcels. Two and one-half acre lots are the predominating size in developments. Also illustrated on Figure 3 are existing and designated parks and open space. Areas unsuitable for development such as floodplains, wetlands, and poor soils are shown on Figures 4 & 5. Table 6 indicates existing developed and undeveloped acreage by service area. The gross land area in the non-sewered area of the City is 14,412 acres. All but 4,084 acres (28%) are either developed or unsuited for development. Of these 4084 acres, 74 acres are zoned Rural Business (1.8%), 72 acres are zoned Industrial (1.8%) 23 acres are zoned General Business (0.6%) The remaining 3915 acres are zoned Rural Residential (95.9%).