Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/27/2025

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6. 1. Regular Planning Commission Meeting Date: 03/27/2025 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Oak Terrace Ramsey Park Outlot Variance to Subdivision Code at 6549 Highway 10 NW Purpose/Background: Oak Terrace Estates, a mobile home community, has been located at 6545 Hwy 10 NW for many decades. The City of Ramsey owns a 3.23-acre parcel along the west and northwest sides of Oak Terrace Estates addressed 6549 Higwhay 10 NW. The City's property is unusually shaped and has a 0.58-acre "triangle" that extends east from the bulk of the property, wrapping around the northwestern side of Oak Terrace. The City's property was purchased using RALF money for the anticipation of Highway 10's reconstruction that would shift the roadway north. Since then, the highway design plans have changed so that the City's property is no longer needed. The City will be selling off the RALF properties over the next few years following the completion of the Highway 10 reconstruction project. Both the City's property and Oak Terrace Estates are zoned B-3--Regional Business District. It was discovered that two of Oak Terrace's units were crossing the property line extending into the triangle portion of the City's property with a third unit extending right to the property line. A fence has been constructed in the triangle too. It is not feasible to move the encroaching units as they would block the internal roadway. The City Council discussed the matter in 2024 and determined the best remedy would be to sell the triangle to Oak Terrace Estates. The City Council and the owners of Oak Terrace Estates (the Applicant) reached an agreement that includes a full purchase of the triangle with the ability to add six new units. The City and Oak Terrace have been working to resolve this encroachment issue since June of 2021. The next step in this process is to subdivide the land in order to create a parcel that can be conveyed. A lot line adjustment, an administrative action, was explored, but not feasible due to the mortgage that is encumbered on the Oak Terrace Estates property. Instead, a split of the City's property is being requested; and instead of platting, the Applicant is proposing a metes -and -bounds subdivision of the property. This type of subdivision is allowed through a Variance in the Subdivision Code. This type of variance is different than a Zoning Code variance in that a lot more leeway is allowed. The following is the section of City Code discussing subdivision variances: Sec. 117-561. - Procedural variances. (a) Hardship. The board of adjustment may adopt a resolution to grant a variance from the procedural requirements of this chapter where strict compliance with these requirements may cause a practical difficulty or undue hardship, provided that a variance may be granted only if the variance does not adversely affect the spirit and intent of this chapter. (b) Procedure. Written application for a variance shall be filed with the zoning administrator on forms supplied by the city and shall state fully all facts relied upon by the applicant. The application shall be supplemented with maps, plans or other data that may aid in an analysis of the matter. A fee shall be charged for variance applications as set by ordinance. (c) Action. No variance shall be granted by the board of adjustment unless it shall have received the majority vote of the board of adjustment. The board of adjustment shall make written findings and conclusions of its action on the variance application, which findings and conclusions shall be adopted by resolution. The variance allows the metes -and -bounds subdivision by keeping the spirit of the Subdivision Code.