1995 CAFR - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

MAJOR INITIATIVES (continued) Community Development and Engineering (continued) As a result of the recent building activity, the expected growth of the community through the year 2000 is anticipated to be as follows: households Population 1990 Census 3,641 12,408 1995 City Staff Estimate 4,820 16,388 1996 City Staff Projection 5,028 17,000 2000 City Staff Projection 5,700 19,400 The preceeding projections will be adjusted periodically and will vary depending on changes in the economy and Council decisions. In September 1995, a Charter referendum was held which is expected to slow residential growth of the community beyond the year 2000 but is not expected to dramatically impact the above estimates due to existing land inventory in the Urban Service District and projected future planning of rural planned unit developments. This past year has been the most active in Ramsey's history in terms of commercial and industrial development. The City Council approved site plans for 475,545 square feet of commercial or institutional construction projects. Among the eighteen such projects is the new headquarters for the Anoka Electric Cooperative under construction at the intersection of Ramsey Boulevard and County Road 116. Also included is the 28 classroom addition to the Ramsey Elementary School which will be open the fall of 1996. During 1995, the City developed its own industrial park which includes most of the property south of County Road 116 and east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. As a result of that opportunity the City has realized the completion of three industrial projects [on parcels near the main industrial park] and two more are underway. It is expected that additional industrial construction will occur in 1996. The City has also completed the restoration of the new Public Works facility located at the corner of Jaspar and 142nd Avenue. This completed renovation has allowed the City to market the old Public Works site on St. Francis Boulevard. This marketing has paid off with an agreement with First State Bank of Isanti to begin construction of a new bank facility at that location. The funds for the project, along with grants from the Minnesota State Historical Society and Federal Government, will allow the City to renovate the old town hall/school house. Though the fmal use of the building is undecided, this will preserve a significant piece of local history. The school was constructed in 1893, and is one of the last remaining examples of a public school building from that period. Planning In 1995, the City Council approved 15 new subdivisions including 159 residential and 24 commercial lots. Additional activity for 1996 Council consideration is currently in process. With a stable economy, 1996 should prove to be another busy year. An update of the Ramsey Comprehensive Plan was a major planning focus for 1995. This document details plans where development will occur in the future and what type and density of development will be allowed. The City also initiated a study on the Trunk Highway 47 corridor which is intended to provide the community with a picture of which accesses to the highway will be available and what improvements the City will expect when development along this corridor occurs in the future. Planning for the drainage districts in the community was also initiated. At the same time, planning activities of a different sort were occurring. For instance, the City began enforcing its nuisance codes in earnest in 1995. The result was a review by the Planning Commission and Council of code requirements for commercial vehicle storage in residential districts. Also, in August 1995, 752 persons in a referendum vote told the City Council that they had concerns about the pace of suburbanization of this community. In that this was 78% of the voter turnout, discussions have occurred regarding future residential development, its look, and its pace. iv