Minutes - Planning Commission - 01/24/2002 - Jt PC CC (2)

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Andy Kelly, 6171 145th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that he understands that if it wasn't for development he would not be in his house or Ramsey and is happy living in Ramsey, but would prefer that parcel 910 remain low density residential. Tom Kempfer, 6211 152nd Ave, Fox Knoll Subdivision north side of parcel 910, stated that he recognizes that the City has an obligation to provide affordable housing, but a minimum house value of$200,000 does not provide for affordable housing and is not against that. But there is an attempt to provide a single zone of single family housing and then slip medium density homes into the single-family areas and he did not think that was a good way to develop a Comprehensive Plan. Beyond that twice the residents have spoken regarding property 910. It was clear two years ago that they were opposed and it is still the same. How many more times do the residents have to speak. Ms. Bertzyk stated that when they take into consideration as to what happens in an area the assumption is there are more kids and more traffic, but from studies there is not a large increase because there are a lot of empty nesters or single family occupying those units. Mr. Ragor stated that another issue that has not been addressed is that cluster homes in an area, where there are low-density homes totally surrounding site 910, will affect their property value. He felt that was another very important issue that needed to be considered and was another reason he was opposed to the land use change. Ms. Bertzyk disagreed. She explained that when the Pulte development was being proposed she spoke with three Realtors and was told that the development would improve their value. John Bertyk, 6601 146th Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that there were 14 issues on the land use map to be considered and everyone was focusing on parcel 910. He stated that he was involved in attempting to get the Pulte plan approved especially after the threat of drug rehab houses on the site. Pulte was going to save 80 percent of the trees, which would increase the property values by a minimum of 20 percent. Where there were empty spots there were going to be berms. The home values would have started at $170,000 and the development would have included trails, which would have been maintained by Pulte at no cost to the City. They were told by Councilmember Hendriksen that if they wanted to build cracker box houses like the water tower site he would agree, but the Kurak's refused to place that type of development on the property because they wanted to do what was right for the neighborhood. Alena Hunter, 14628 Helium Street NW, Ramsey, stated that there are a lot of things on the land use map and they are only focusing on one landowner and the issue has become very personnel. The citizens of Ramsey that don't want higher density might wan to get behind the town center area because if they can develop into a mixed use area they can concentrate some of the higher density into that area instead of people's back yards. They would be able to place the higher density along a major corridor where they could have more advantageous use of the commercial area. She stated that she has been in the City for 9 years in an urban area and does not have a relative that can gain anything from selling land, but understand that landowners have a right. Not saying they need to be placing low or medium density in any area, but she felt it was ridiculous to Planning Commission Joint Meeting/January 24, 2002 Page 9 of 14