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PUBLIC HEARING <br />BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT <br />CITY OF RAMSEY <br />ANOKA COUNTY <br /> STATE OF MINNESOTA <br /> <br />The Ramsey Board of Adjustment conducted a public hearing on Tuesday, September 1, 1998, at <br />the Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW, Ramsey, Minnesota to hear input <br />regarding a request for a variance to height restrictions for a senior housing facility; case of City <br />of Ramsey and Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. <br /> <br />Members Present: <br /> <br />Chairperson Benjamin Deemer <br />Board Member David Bawden <br />Board Member Sharon Jensen <br />Board Member Charles LaDue <br /> <br />Members Absent: <br /> <br />Board Member <br />Board Member <br />Board Member <br /> <br />Leo Anderson <br />Michael Terry <br />Joe Wivoda <br /> <br />Also Present: <br /> <br />Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik <br />Community Development Assistant Sean Walther <br />Fire Chief Dean Kapler <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br /> <br />Chairperson Deemer called the public hearing to order at 7:16 p.m. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION <br /> <br />Zoning Administrator Frolik stated the City is working in conjunction with the Anoka County <br />Housing and Redevelopment Authority to develop a 50-unit senior housing facility on <br />Dysprosium Street, across the street from the City water tower. She explained that City Code <br />establishes a maximum height structure of 35 feet based on the reach capability of Fire <br />Department equipment. City Code defines building height as the measurement from the mean <br />ground level to the uppermost point of the roof. Such calculations on the proposed facility result <br />in a 9.5 foot encroachment of the 35-foot height restriction. Ms. Frolik noted another concern of <br />area residents regarding the impact of such a facility on surrounding property values. She <br />distributed copies of a letter, dated August 28, 1998, received from Deputy Anoka County <br />Assessor Scott D. Varner, wherein he states "Thus far we have not found any evidence of any <br />loss in value attributed to single family residences in close proximity to a senior apartment <br />project." <br /> <br />Fire Chief Dean Kapler stated that while he had no objections to a senior housing project, he did <br />have concerns with the dimensions. He expressed serious concerns about the ability of the Fire <br />Department to fight fires above the 35-foot level. Assuming that the building would have a <br />common attic (the architect was not present to confirm or deny) and that these buildings are <br /> <br /> <br />