Ramsey Resident - 1986 - December

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CITY HALL Council met on November 18 and staff gave a presentation on the two newest options being presented for consideration as methods for financ- ing sewer and water improvements in the industrial area. Option A is a plan that would use tax incre- ment revenues to offer the property owners a graduated rate of discount on the assessment bas- ed on the length of time the assessment would be deferred. The assessment discount would range from 60% for those property owners accepting the assessment right away and gradually decrease, year by year, to a 0% discount for those property owners deferring the assessment the full ten years. The benefit with Option A to those property owners pick- ing up their assessments right away is the upfront 60% discounted assessment; the benefit to those property owners deferring is that there will be no in- terest accruing during the deferment period that they will be responsible for. In Option B the City would be in the business of developing utility systems and responsible for setting reasonable rates for the ser- vice. The city would install the improvements and connections to the system would not be assessed to the property owner until he/she chooses to hook up to the system or is required to hook-up because of an on-site septic system failure. Council requested that staff conduct another meeting with the affected property owners to explain these options to them. Council conducted a joint meeting with Plann- ing and Zoning and Economic Development on November 20 to discuss development controls in the commercial/industrial area. A great deal of concern has been expressed regarding the appearance of Ramsey, especially along the Hwy. 10 corridor, and the need for consistency between Council and Com- missions with respect to enforcing the ordinances and controls that are in place and appear to be adequate. Council met on November 25 and discussed Mr. Gerald Root's conditional use permit. The City Engineer reported that the traprock applied to Mr. Root's parking area does not meet the 'durable, dust-free' requirement. Council directed that Mr. Root pave his driveway/parking area by June 1, 1987 with a 'durable, dust-free' material.Mr. Wirz was denied a conditional use permit to operate a retail business from his nursery in the R1-R Residential District at 17201 St. Francis Blvd. Mr. Goodrich noted that according to State law regarding agricultural uses, Mr. Wirz can sell whatever he grows wherever he chooses; the city can only restrict Mr. Wirz from selling, in inappropriately zoned areas, those commodities he has not grown. Mr. Steve Simons was denied a conditional use permit to operate an automobile sales business in the In- dustrial District at 7205-7210 Hwy. #10 based on concerns with continued residential use of two ex- isting structures on the property, traffic hazards in- volved with access from Hwy. #10 and use of front yard setback as sales display area. Council did not grant preliminary plat approval to Autumn Meadows because even though the plat was reduced from 8 to 4 lots, a second access to the area had not been provided for. Northfork Second Addition and Stanhope River Hills received final plat approval. A metes and bounds subdivision of a 20 acre parcel on Variolite (between 171 st and 172nd) into two lots was approved with one common access onto Variolite. Council adopted ordinances establishing the Rum River storm sewer taxing districts. In the process of considering a request for a variance for access onto Variolite in order to build on a lot with no access, Council ordered right-of-way plans for the extension of 155th anticipating that the property in question could be granted temporary access onto Vario/ite until such time as 155th is extended to Cty. Rd. 83. Some citizen opposition was expressed regarding the proposed alignment for the extension and the City Attorney stated that most likely the ex- tension would not be developed for many years; years from now there may be changes made to Min- nesota State Aid thoroughfare plans or no MSA at all. Council then approved Mr. Vasseur's request for access onto Variolite, in order to build on his pro- perty, with the condition that when and if an MSA road is developed to continue the east/west corridor, Mr. Vasseur's access onto Variolite will become part of the MSA extension and his property will then ac- cess that MSA street rather than have a private driveway onto Variolite. Council accepted the feasibility report for improving Roanoke Street from 153rd to Juniper Ridge Drive. Council adopted a policy of requiring certificate of lot surveys for new construction on lots less than 21/2 acres in size; for parcels larger than 21/2 acres, the requirement for a lot survey will be at the discretion of the building official. Council consensus was to expend $2100 in both 1987 and 1988 in support of the Anoka County Business Assistance Network. Council directed city staff to proceed with the development of draft zon- ing ordinances for Gateway North Industrial Airport. Council met on December 2 to discuss, with af- fected property owners, the two most recently pro- posed options for financing sewer and water im- provements in the industrial area. Council moved to recommend that both options (described above in notes regarding the November 18 Council meeting) be made available to the property owners as finan- cing methods for sewer and water improvements in the industrial area. Council also directed that The City Attorney seek the Attorney General's opinion on whether or not State Statute authorizes the city to use landfill tipping fees to defray the extra ex- pense of a municipal well created by the requirement to locate municipal wells at least two miles from landfills. COMMISSION MEETING NEWS The Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 2 and reviewed a request to subdivide by metes and bounds a 16 acre parcel located south of Cty. Rd. 63 east of Variolite into 2 or 3 parcels. The Commission recommended that the applicant return to Planning and Zoning with a sketch plan for a metes and bounds subdivision into two lots with a common outlet onto Cty. Rd. 63. Mr. Raudio re- quest P&Z assistance in subdividing land on the south side of 149th Lane; Commissioner Deemer was appointed to work with Mr. Raudio. Mr. Raudio also discussed his concept for combining home oc- cupations and residential uses on the property south of 149th Avenue NW. and west of Cty. Rd. #56. The Commission noted that Mr. Raudio's concept was good as long as the development is a planned unit development with strict covenants governing ap- pearances, access, uses, etc. Ms. Norris explained the City's existing density policy and Metropolitan Council's dissatisfaction with it. The Metropolitan Council has suggested that the City rework the policy to use the existing densities and not borrow from undeveloped properties and undevelopable areas. The Commission was in favor of keeping the existing policy. It was recommended that Council reappoint Commissioners Deemer and Howell to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term to expire December 31, 1990. The Commission recommend- ed that the City require certified site plans for any commercial/industrial proposals and activities. The MEETING CALENDAR January 1987 Jan. 6 Tuesday Special City Council City Hall 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 Tuesday Planning and Zoning Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 Thursday Economic Development Company City Hall 7:30 a.m. Jan. 8 Thursday Park & Recreation Commission City Hall 7:00 p.m. Jan. 14 Wednesday Economic Development Commission City Hall 7:30 a.m. Jan. 14 Wednesday Airport Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 Thursday Board of Adjustment City Hall 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 Tuesday City Council City Hall 7:30 p.m. Agendas for all Council, Commission and Committee meetings are available at City Hall two working days prior to the date of the meeting. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA MUST BE SUBMITTED TO CITY STAFF BY NOON ON MONDAY OF THE WEEK PRECEDING THE SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING. NOTE: Ramsey Municipal Center will close at 1 :00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24 and will be closed on Thursday, December 25; Thursday, January 1; and Monday, January 19. Commission discussed the zoning ordinance regar- ding pole buildings in commercial areas and deter- mined that the intent was not to allow pole buildings in the B-1 and B-2 districts and to allow them in the 1-1 district as storage buildings. The Commission also noted that pole construction may be permitted in the residential areas on lots of less than 21/2 areas as long as the facing on the structure is identical to that on the house. The Commission requested that the City consider regulating contractors who haul in snow from other cities because of possible en- vironmental impacts resulting from the sand, salt and chemical content of the snow. The Economic Development Commission met on November 19 and Ms. Norris reported that she has assigned all Economic Development Commission and Company members to various Star City task subcommittees and will be scheduling meetings. Ac- tion Plans have been prepared based on the high priority needs identified at the city's goal setting ses- sion in March. The following EDC members volunteered to serve on the various Action Teams: Mr. Hardin - "Improvements To Local Government Aid"; Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Fults - "Drainage Outlets To Mississippi and Rum River"; Mr. Ippel - "Improvements To Ramsey's Appearance"; Mr. Vevea - "Transportation Improvements"; Mr. Wagner - "Communication Improvements Between All Levels of City Government". The Commission ap- proved checklists of requirements for various plan- ning/development requests to aid developers in knowing just what the city will be expecting of them. The Economic Development Commission met on December 1 0 and adopted a policy to be followed in responding to prospective businesses looking to locate in Ramsey. The Legislative Subcommittee will be meeting to prepare issues of concern to be sub- mitted in the upcoming legislative session. The Com- ~ission discussed the two most recent financing op- tions for sewer and water improvements in the in- dustrial area that were presented to and adopted by Council. The Park and Recreation Commission met on Oc- tober 9 and granted approval for the Ramsey Lions Club to build shelter at Central Park. It was recom- mended that Council reappoint Mr. Lichter, Mr. Hetland and Mr. Lokker to the Park Commission for another term. It was noted that Ramsey's applica- tion for LAWCON funds for development of River's Bend Park was denied. The Commission moved to accept park dedication fee for Now & Then Estates. The Commission discussed the need for im- provements to the warming house at Ramsey School rink. The Park and Recreation Commission met on November 13 and requested that the City Ad- ministrator provide them with a statement of change of financial condition of park funds, an update on the YMCA issue and who is responsible for turning lights on and off at Central Park. It was recommended that City Council appoint Mr. Roy Shuway to the Park Commission. Mr. Goodrich was present to discuss park dedication requirements; the City can require land and/or cash dedication; it was recommended that decisions to require cash or land be fair and made on a case by case basis based on the needs of the city. The Airport Commission met on December 3 and recommended that Council appoint Mr. Richard Emery and Mr. Virgil Barnes to the Commission and reappoint Mr. Chapman and Mr. Donovan for another term. It was noted that Council approved proceeding with airport zoning. Mr. Hartley was pre- sent and explained why staff has recommended ac- complishing airport zoning on an in-house basis rather than with a joint zoning board of all cities and counties impacted by Gateway Airport. RAMSEY MUNICIPAL CENTER 15153 Nowthen Blvd. 427.1410 HOME PHONE 753-1566 421-8987 753-1610 421-1848 427-1254 COUNCIL Mayor Gary Reimann Council member Jean Schlueter Councilmember Arnie Cox Councilmember AI Sorteberg Council member Steve Deluca COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS Ken Peterson, Planning & Zoning John Lichter, Park & Recreation Jack Beissel, Cable T.V. Don Greenberg, Economic Development Jack Ippel, Airport Dick Sieber, Charter CITY STAFF Administrator David Hartley Assessor les Wirz Attorney Bill Goodrich Building Inspector Elvin Erickson Development Director Anne Norris Engineer Peter Raatikka Finance Officer Noel Graczyk Public Works Supt. Merle Mevissen Police Chief Mike Auspos 427-3844 753-1227 753-1041 441-1939 753-4165 421-2161 427-1410 427-1410 421-5424 427-1410 427-1410 427-5860 427-1410 427-4180 427-1410