Minutes - Council - 06/24/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Teri Svare, 6015 - 158th Lane NW, Ramsey - presented Council with a petition proposing a Charter amendment stating development standards to mitigate the impact high density residential development may have on existing lower density neighborhoods. A copy is attached as "Exhibit A". She added that she and others would like the City Council to work' with the Anoka- Hennepin School District regarding the over-crowding of schools. She realized this is "not the law" but she felt it is certainly a problem. She also commented on neighborhood parks and the fact that there is no major parks in the proposed Apple Ridge area without having to cross a major highway. Mayor Gamec responded that the City has been meeting with Roger Giroux of the Anoka- Hennepin School District and the cities of Andover and Anoka relating to the over-crowding of schools. Andover may be looking at another new school. Ramsey Elementary will be "okay" for awhile. He added there are more of these meetings scheduled. Don Sonneman, 7521 149th Avenue NW, Ramsey - stated he is also present to express concerns about the speeding problems on the streets and disagreed that it's the local neighborhood people who do the speeding. He felt that speed bumps may be the answer. City Engineer Jankowski reported that speed bumps have slowed down the average speed four miles per hour, however, there are still a number of speeders in the area of the speed bumps. You will not eliminate the speeders and if you cul-de-sac the street, you will push the problem to another block. Charles Johnson, 6010 - 159th Lane NW, Ramsey - felt that a "surprise" patrol car around the comer would be the best way to get drivers to slow down. Cres Schramm. 6051 160th Lane NW, Ramsey - expressed appreciation for the officer's coming out to the neighborhoods but felt that maybe programs like "crime watch" might help. Speeding in neighborhoods is a dangerous problem and should not be overlooked. Trudy Mattila, 7451 - 149th Avenue NW, Ramsey - questioned what is considered local traffic. She added that she is disappointed that when she's called the police department about the speeders she has been told to keep her child out of the street. She, too, felt that the solution would be to make her street a cul-de-sac and if need be, she would not mind having to pay for it. Mr. Jankowski reported that he has been working with the Road and Bridge Committee to develop a policy for traffic calming requests. Deb Landwehr, 5821 - 159th Lane NW, Ramsey - talked about an Environmental Assessment Worksheet being done for the proposed Apple Ridge and that if the City did not do one, the resident had the right to petition for one. She stated that the Minneapolis Metro Area has a bad track record when it comes to urban sprawl and no open spaces. She felt it was important that Council receive this information and that the Department of Natural Resources would stand behind this. She also felt that the land in the proposed Apple Ridge area is much more valuable in terms of preserving than development. Ms. Landwehr continued that the schools are not equipped to handle the large developments such as this and that Good Value Homes is City Council/June 24, 1997 Page 4 of 17