Minutes - Council - 01/23/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Mr. Lasher replied at this point in time the City's position is that there is eminent domain action on the parcels to assemble the property, and there is an agreement with RCM to make those properties available for RCM to purchase on July 1,2007. At this point in time the City is not in the position to spend any money on tax increment because there is no project, so there is no loss in terms of tax increment. The TIF District is being created now in anticipation of this project; if the project does not go through with RCM, the City could begin negotiations with another developer. At some point in time there needs to be a decision on whether to move forward or not, and that date at this point is August 1, 2007. These decisions are being made now to get the project ready to go according to the current schedule. Everything RCM has indicated to this point is that the negotiations are proceeding, however, nothing is guaranteed. Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan clarified land acquisition for this project will not be funded with TIF. TIF funds will only be used for infrastructure costs. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Jeffrey, to adopt Resolution #07- 01-039 establishing Tax Increment Financing District No.9 and approving its Tax Increment Financing Plan. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Jeffrey, Dehen, Look, Olson, and Strommen. Voting No: None. Case #4: Consider Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and R-l Residential Zoning District for the Rural Developing Rea; Case of City of Ramsey Associate Planner Geisler reviewed that at the April 11, 2006 meeting, the City Council adopted a 9-month moratorium on all subdivision and platting in the R-l Rural Developing District. The moratorium was recently extended an additional three months. The purpose of the moratorium is to provide time for consideration of revisions to the cluster subdivision which were added to the Rural Developing Area in early 2005. The public hearing was properly advertised in the Anoka County Union. Staff also sent a post card to all property owners in the Rural Developing District advising them of the public hearing. All proposed changes to City Code and the Comprehensive Plan were placed on the City website, and an article about the proposed changes was included in the January issue of the Ramsey Resident. Associate Planner Geisler reviewed that there were several development proposals submitted in 2005 under the cluster subdivision development standards. During the review of those proposals, many concerns about the cluster development standards were raised by Planning Commissioners, City Councilmembers, residents, and staff, including lot size, density transitioning requirements, function and maintenance of the common septic system, and open space requirements. The City Council discussed the option of making minor changes to the cluster ordinance, but essentially leaving it in place. There was concern that to effectively amend the cluster ordinance, additional base information was needed, particularly in relation to open space and greenway needs for the City. Because this information will be assembled during the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update process, the Council directed staff to pursue an 'interim' Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zoning Amendment for the Rural Developing Area that is intended to be in place until the 2008 Comprehensive Plan update is complete. Through the City Council / January 23, 2007 Page 11 of 28