Minutes - Planning Commission - 09/10/1998 - Special Workshop

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The Planning Commission proceeded to discuss the need for a town center. Mr. Scheib emphasized the need to create a plan or policy stating what to put in there and what it should look like. Ramsey needs to create something that is unique and reflects its needs and/or wants. Commissioner Deemer stated that Alternative B (153rd Avenue/T.H. #47, City Offices, Ramsey School) was meant to be the town center in previous Comprehensive Plans, however, no plan was ever implemented. He has no objection to this site, however, he did not want to see any retail in such close proximity to the school. He explained Duluth moved their high school because of such a problem and also Anoka experiences similar difficulties. Commissioner Wivoda inquired whether Alternative A (between Ramsey and Armstrong Boulevards, north of the railroad tracks) would present a problem if Highway #10 became a freeway and the bridge corridor. Mr. Scheib affirmed that the site would be cut off from Highway #10 if those things occurred. Commissioner Bawden felt both alternatives should be left in the Comprehensive Plan so that whenever a town center plan was drawn up, both sites could be examined for suitability. Discussion ensued comparing Alternative A and Alternative B. Alternative A would be more automobile accessible while Alternative B would be more accessible to pedestrians. Alternative A is vacant land which would be easier to acquire. Alternative A could also benefit from the proposed commuter rail station. Mr. Scheib suggested that Alternative A could still be reserved as a commercial node if Alternative B was chosen for the town center. Alternative A was deemed inappropriate for civic uses. Alternative B was considered more limited in terms of commercial. Discussion ensued regarding the definition of "town center," whether it be civic oriented or commercial oriented. Town center policies and strategies of implementation (included in the draft Comprehensive Plan) were reviewed. Consensus of the Planning Commission was to preserve Alternative B for the town center with a civic campus, and preserve Alternative A as a "mixed use" to include high density residential and places to shop. The Planning Commission discussed the importance of the continuation of C.R. #63 and Jarvis Street. Commissioner Deemer expressed concern over the extension of C.R. #116 stating that it seems to be the tendency to move it west. He advised that the county intends for this to be a crosstown road with the possibility of higher traffic than T.H. #47. He suggested the City should leave it as close to T.H. #10 as possible since this may be the only opportunity to get another crossing of the tracks. Planning Commission/September 10, 1998 Page 3 of 4