Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/23/2026

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6. 3. Regular Planning Commission Meeting Date:07/23/2026 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative:Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider an Amendment to Chapter 106 (Zoning Code) and the COR Framework Pertaining to Principal Uses, Streetscaping, and Bulk Standards in the COR Zoning Districts Purpose/Background: This case pertains to the repeal of a portion of the COR Framework, and the concurrent amendment of Ramsey City Code Chapter 106, to consolidate and update land use, streetscaping, and bulk standards in the COR zoning districts. The current COR zoning regulations are split between two documents: Chapter 106 of Ramsey City Code, and the COR Framework. These separate Codes have been updated for various issues and topics over the years, but there are some outstanding inconsistencies between the two Codes. Additionally, having two separate Codes, and located in different areas of the City's website, has made it difficult to navigate for developers, residents, and Staff. There are a few inconsistent terms and regulations that need to be addressed. City Staff from Community Development, Engineering, and Public Works have met to discuss these changes to determine what should be kept, modified, or deleted in the proposed Code, building upon the strengths and successes of the COR neighborhood while addressing Ramsey's vision for the future. For reference, here is a link to the Zoning Map and a link to the COR Framework Document. The attached draft Code is color-coded to show where the language came from for transparency. Existing text to be retained is noted in black font. New text to be added is noted in blue font. Text that is rephrased or restructured, but that retains the general intent of current regulations, is noted in gold font. Text that is proposed for deletion is noted in red strike-through font. Much of the language is retained from the existing COR Framework, with some rearrangements and consolidations of duplicated language. More detailed changes to the Code include the following: There is also a realignment of the principal uses table in Section 106-621 to align with the list of permitted uses in Section 106-521 for Business and Industrial zoning districts. This will also include an expansion of permitted uses in the COR to allow for more flexibility for our commercial tenant spaces, while simultaneously focusing on pedestrian-oriented commercial uses along our street frontages. This expansion will also align with the uses that have already been permitted in the COR or that are similar to currently permitted uses, such as the following: Animal Service Business and Veterinary Clinics; Assembly Halls, Banquet Halls, or Conference Centers; Banks; Fitness Centers; Medical and Dental Offices and Clinic; Offices and Professional Services, and; Personal Services. The streetscaping standards on pages 83-85 of the COR Framework PDF have been simplified to eliminate a list of permitted tree species while retaining the policy language about groupings of tree species per block or street section, allowing developers and City Staff more flexibility to plan around tree diseases such as emerald ash borer (EAB) and oak wilt. The current bulk standards listed on pages 127, 129, 132, 134, and 136 of the COR Framework PDF are consolidated into the existing Section 106-630 for simplicity and searchability. There is also an adjustment to the building height requirements, changing from a minimum and maximum