Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/26/2025

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Commissioner introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION #25-149 A RESOLUTION GRANTING A VARIANCE FOR A DRIVE -THROUGH LANE IN THE FRONT YARD AT 14701 ARMSTRONG BLVD NW RECITALS 1. The City of Ramsey received an application from Allison Morgan of Capital Real Estate, Inc. (the "Applicant"), requesting a Variance to the drive -through placement standards in Section 106-625 of Ramsey City Code on property legally described as follows: Lot 3, Block 1, Bunker Lake Crossing, Anoka County, Minnesota (the "Subject Property"); and 2. That the Applicant appeared before the Planning Commission for a public hearing pursuant to Section 106-220 (Variances) of the Ramsey City Code on June 26, 2025, and that said public hearing was properly advertised and that the minutes of said public hearing are available. 3. That the Subject Property is approximately 1.58 acres in size, which is similar to other commercial properties in the immediate surrounding neighborhood. 4. That the Subject Property is zoned COR-2b, Commercial Subdistrict. 5. That the parcels to the north and south of the Subject Property are also COR-2b, Commercial Subdistrict, and properties to the east are zoned COR-4b, Neighborhood Subdistrict, and properties to the west (across Armstrong Boulevard) are zoned B-2, Community Business District; and 6. That the Subject Property is guided as Mixed Use in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 7. That City Code Section 106-625 (Performance Standards) states that drive -through lanes are not permitted in the front yard or within the front build -to line. 8. That due to the presence and location of wetlands and utilities on the Subject Property, and that due to the lot dimensions of the Subject Property, the Permittee has significant constraints for development. 9. That the Permittee is proposing to construct a restaurant with a drive -through lane in the front yard to reduce the impervious surfacing footprint and efficiently use the buildable area of the Subject Property in accordance with all other standards of Ramsey City Code. FINDINGS OF FACT That the Variance will be in accordance with the objectives of the intent of Section 106-220 (Variances) of the Ramsey City Code. 2. That the Variance will allow the property owner to use the property in a reasonable manner not otherwise permitted by the zoning code, which includes placing the drive -through in the front yard between the building and the right-of-way to maximize stacking space on the property, limit the