Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Case #4: <br /> <br />Introduce Ordinance to Amend 9.20.25 (Town Center District) of Chapter <br />Nine of the Ramsey Zoning Code; Case of City of Ramsey <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon stated throughout 2005 and 2006, staff has <br />encountered a variety of issues with the Town Center zoning code. The intent of the Town <br />Center zoning district is to foster a pedestrian friendly, transit oriented development by <br />employing distinctly different standards than other zoning districts within the City. Since its <br />adoption, staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council have encountered standards that <br />cannot be accommodated and still allow reasonable, well-suited development. Mr. Trudgeon <br />reviewed the following proposed changes to Chapter Nine of the Ramsey Zoning Code: <br />1. Minor revisions to the "intent" section of TC-l to exclude performance standards. These <br />standards were moved into the appropriate section in the bulk standards table. <br />2. Minor revisions to the permitted uses list. Many conditional uses were changed to <br />permitted uses. The original intent of the CUP status on most of the uses that were <br />changed was to ensure a pedestrian friendly, transit oriented design. However, the design <br />standards fully incorporate these, and thus the uses should be permitted by right. <br />3. Reduction of floor-area-ratios in commercial, office, and core area. Staff has come <br />across problems in applying this standard; it appears much too strict when compared with <br />the parking requirements. <br />4. Parking requirements. All minimum parking requirements are changed to maximum <br />allowable parking stalls. Additional parking would be permitted if provided within a <br />structure, or by conditional use permit (up to 25% increase). <br />5. Signage. Signboards will be limited to 5% of fac;ade area. This codifies the practice that <br />has been employed to address signage requirements. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec commented this has been going on for almost one year. They have found some of <br />the ordinance requirements did not fit, such as making changes to townhome driveway lengths to <br />make room for cars in the driveways. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated regarding slgnage, entire windows being painted III neon <br />advertisements is a bit of a distraction. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated this is likely a matter of enforcing the <br />ordinance, rather than amending it. He has talked to the business owners and the leasing agent <br />about this and an agreement was reached that the signage would need to be moved. Staff will <br />follow up on this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look asked if there is a designation on signage for exterior versus interior that <br />this would relate to. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon replied there IS interior slgnage allowed; the <br />signage is attempted to be limited so it is not too distracting. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look suggested this section may need to be specific about signage being viewed <br />from the outside. <br /> <br />City Council I February 13, 2007 <br />Page 13 of 25 <br />