Minutes - Council - 02/25/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The public hearing adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Council Business Mayor Gamec called the regular portion of the City Council meeting back to order at 7:28 p.m. CITIZEN INPUT Jim Struwve, 15328 Hematite Street NW, Ramsey, expressed concern about the proposed development of the land north of 153rd Avenue and west of Sunfish Lake Boulevard and the use of the profits from the development to fund park development on the south side of 153rd Avenue. He felt that the development abutting what is already there is too much of a contrast in size. He pointed out that at a neighborhood meeting, residents expressed their concerns quite adamantly about the higher density proposal. Another issue is traffic impact because of the speed and design of 153rd. There has 'already been one fatality and one car accident causing vehicles to leave the road. Mr. Struwve expressed concern about losing the wildlife on the 80 acre parcel because of developing a park there. He pointed out that at the neighborhood meeting, Mr. Schroeder had stated that he wanted to know what is important to the residents. The residents informed him that they wanted a more passive park and not the type that was proposed. They wanted less baseball, football, soccer and hockey arenas. They wanted more trees, seeding, prairie grass and picnic areas. He added that the Park and Recreation Commission Chairperson made the statement that we, as residents, are wasting our time and breath and that they are going to do what they want anyway. He felt this was a "slap in the face". He said he thought the City wanted input from the residents. He asked that the Mayor and Council work with the residents of this rural part of Ramsey. He asked that all comments and concerns be addressed and that a compromise be reached. Mayor Gamec stated that there will be a public hearing on this issue and there will be time for more input from the residents. He expressed disappointment in what Mr. Struwve reported he heard said by the Park and Recreation Commission Chairperson. City Administrator Schroeder reported there were two neighborhood meeting on this proposed development. We presented a concept plan. The Park and Recreation Commission has not made any revisions to that plan yet because the subdivision plan has not been approved. All that would impact the park design. They are scheduled for preliminary review at the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for March 4, 1997. Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Beahen that Council be notified when the Park and Recreation Commission will be discussing Alpine Park development. Further discussion: Councilmember Haas Steffen added that she hoped the comment made by the Park and Recreation Commission Chairperson was not meant in the way it was taken. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Haas Steffen, Beahen, Beyer and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Dell Wissler, 6614 - 153rd lane NW, Ramsey, stated he is just north of the 21 acres proposed as the Alpine development and he had noticed that case #2 refers to awarding a contract for the project. Mr. Schroeder explained that the action is for the engineering services to design utility work for that area. KC Land Company has entered into a purchase agreement on the land with the City of City Council/February 25, 1997 Page 13 of 28