Minutes - Planning Commission - 01/04/2007

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Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Cleveland, to adopt Resolution #PC07- 01-004 of the Planning Commission, City of Ramsey, Minnesota, Concerning the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Ramsey, Minnesota's Redevelopment Project Area Approval (Ramsey Crossing Project Area). Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Cleveland, Hunt, Levine, and Trites Rolle. Voting No: None. Commissioner VanScoy. Absent: Commissioner Brauer. Case #7: Public Hearing - Consider Amendments to 9.20.25 (Town Center District) of Chapter Nine of the Ramsey Zoning Code Chairperson Nixt closed the regular portion of the Planning Commission meeting at 10:22 p.m. in order to call the public hearing to order. Public Hearinf! Chairperson Nixt called the public hearing to order at 10:22 p.m. Presentation Associate Planner Daines stated throughout 2005 and 2006, staff has encountered a variety of issues with the Town Center zoning code. The intent of the Town Center zoning district is foster a pedestrian friendly, transit oriented development by employing distinctly different standards than other zoning districts within the City. Since its adoption, Staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council have encountered standards that cannot be accommodated and still allow reasonable, well-suited development. Ms. Daines provided the following summary of the proposed changes: 1) Minor revisions to the "intent" section of TC-l to exclude performance standards. These standards were moved into the appropriate section in the bulk standards table. 2) Minor revisions to the permitted uses list. Many conditional uses were changed to permitted uses. The original intent of the CUP status on most of the uses that were changed was to ensure a pedestrian friendly, transit oriented design. However, the design standards fully incorporate these, and thus the uses should be permitted by right. 3) Reduction of floor-area-ratios in commercial and core area. Staff has come across problems in applying this standard; it appears much too strict when compared with the parking requirements. 4) Parking requirements. All minimum parking requirements are changed to maximum allowable parking stalls. Additional parking would be permitted if provided within a structure, or by conditional use permit (up to 25% increase.) 5) Signage. Signboards will be limited to 5% of fa<;ade area. This codifies the practice that has been employed to address signage requirements. Associate Planner Dalnes requested the Commission to comment and provide direction to staff on the proposed changes. Staff recommends the Commission recommend that the City Council introduce an ordinance to revise Chapter 9.20.25 of the City's Zoning Code to update the zoning district definitions. Planning Commission/January 4, 2007 Page 29 of 35