Minutes - Council - 03/11/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL BUSINESS Case #1: Proposed Moratorium Ordinance City Administrator Schroeder stated that at the meeting of February 25, 1997, Council directed that staff prepare an ordinance placing a moratorium against future subdivision of residential property within the community. He noted that City Attorney Goodrich placed a draft ordinance at Council's table. He stated that at the last Council meeting, zoning was questioned, therefore, in this agenda, he presented a chronology of zoning activities dating back to 1992. The question was whether or not a certain property was included in the MUSA. He furnished a copy of Resolution #95-01-018 (dated January 10, 1995) which states that the Metropolitan Council Community Development Committee met on January 9, 1995, to consider a major comprehensive plan amendment submitted by the City of Ramsey on October 21, 1993, that the Committee recommended approval of the plan amendment. City Attorney Goodrich summarized a draft ordinance for an interim moratorium on subdivisions. The proposed ordinance states that the City of Ramsey needs to study the impact of new residential development on existing neighborhoods and the controls for regulating community appearance and design standards, and determine impact of residential development density on the City's environmentally sensitive areas. The proposed ordinance would place a moratorium on the subdividing and platting of land within all areas of the City, except those specifically excluded in the ordinance, and that this is necessary to study the issues mentioned and to protect the planning process and the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Ramsey. Lands excluded from the proposed interim ordinance are: (1) all land currently located within the B-1 Business Zoning District, B-2 Business Zoning District, B-3 Highway Business Zoning District, B-W Business/Warehousing District, RB Rural Business District, 1 Industrial District; and R-1 Rural Industrial District; (2) the proposed Apple Ridge subdivision; (3) the proposed Alpine Estates; (4) the proposed Sunfish Pond subdivision; and (5) any lands for which the City Council has approved, prior to the effective date of this ordinance, a preliminary or final plat. Mr. Goodrich summarized the undue hardship exceptions section, the term of 180 days, the penalties and the effective date which, if introduced tonight and adopted at the next Council meeting, would be April 28, 1997. He added that Council, if they desire, could meet three days after introduction of an ordinance to formally adopt an ordinance. Mr. Schroeder reported that within that 30-day period for the ordinance to be effective, staff would gain proposals from consultants with regard to studying the comprehensive plan. Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to introduce the proposed interim moratorium ordinance, as presented tonight by City Attorney Goodrich, on the rezoning and subdividing of land within the City of Ramsey. Further discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman asked what staff's position is with regard to the Apple Ridge subdivision. Mr. Goodrich replied he has not made a decision on that. Councilmember Haas Steffen commented on past practices of the City and added that she has asked Mr. Goodrich to look into the actions that have taken place and documentation of the City Council/March 11, 1997 Page 5 of 13