Minutes - Council - 08/12/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chris Dempsey, 14794 Krypton NW, Ramsey, felt that the language is not harmonious with State Statutes and that zoning by Charter is unconstitutional. Limiting density to the level of the adjacent lots seems unconstitutional - you are eliminating the people's fight to sell and/or develop their land. He proposed that Council reject this proposed amendment and allow the petitioners to rewrite what they intended. Mr. Goodrich stated there are no procedures to withdraw a petition unless the number of signatures is insufficient ~ now it has a life of its own. Mayor Gamec felt that this language, if passed, will cause real problems. He noted that even the spokesperson of the petition agreed with that. The City tried to work closely with the neighborhood adjacent to the proposed Apple Ridge and he felt that the neighborhood benefited from these workings. Teri Svare, 6015 - 158th Lane NW, Ramsey, felt that they had to "push" hard to get Council's attention and the intent with the petition for a Charter amendment was to keep Council's attention. Councilmember Haas Steffen expressed concern about spending $80,000 to review the City's Comprehensive Plan - maybe the City should just let the citizens amend the Charter how they see fit as with this, the Comp Plan will have little or no meaning. Mr. Goodrich responded that the Charter Commission has indicated they will try to look at the Comprehensive Plan and come up with something more in sync with the Plan and also with State Statutes. Councilmember Haas Steffen felt that the voters in Ramsey should know about the number of parcels that may take the City to court if this amendment passes. Mr. Goodrich cautioned that as individual residents of the City, Council can take a position but as a Council, they could not spend City money on taking a position. However, Council can inform their people of the facts. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution #97-08-194 scheduling a special election on a Charter amendment for September 22, 1997, and approving the form of ballot. Amendment by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Mayor Gamec to insert the Charter Commission's recommendation into the resolution. Such recommendation reads as follows: The Charter Commission voted to recommend to the City Council that the proposed Charter amendment be placed before the voters, highlighting the problems and ramifications of the language, as follows: 1) It may be in conflict with the City's Comprehensive Plan; 2) It may be in conflict with State Statutes and public policy; and 3) the proposed amendment may be troublesome to interpret and administer because of some questions of ambiguity. City Council/August 12, 1997 Page 8 of 14