The purpose of this case is to review a conceptual site plan for a potential hotel in The COR on land owned by the City. 

The City has been approached by a hotel developer interested in a project in Ramsey. This is a different hotel developer on a different site than a similar hotel reviewed in early 2019. The previous hotel concept is still considering a project in Ramsey. The Developer is requesting some high level site selection and site layout feedback. This step is an optional step in the process as a precursor to the City's Purchase Agreement process. This phase is intended to ensure alignment between the Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority (EDA), and City Council in an attempt to avoid project coordination issues with future steps. 

Notification is not required. 

The project is being proposed as a four story hotel with a ground level restaurant and outdoor patio. The Developer is considering a portion of the parcel located on the south side of Sunwood Drive between Stonebrook Academy and Northstar Marketplace (Coborns-Anchored Retail Center). The site is currently guided for retail in The COR Zoning District. 

The project only needs half of the parcel. Staff has been having internal discussions about preferred sites, and is generally comfortable with either. 

Eastern Half of Parcel

• The site is generally flat and square
• There are minimal encumbrances to the parcel
• This site would be the easiest to develop compared to the western half of the parcel
• Development of this site would leave a more challenging parcel remaining to develop (see below for more detail)

Western Half of Parcel

• The site is generally flat but not square
• The site contains a public well, which would allow parking, but not building within a 50 foot radius
• There are previous environmental findings (soil) that have been mitigated, but continue to show up in environmental reports
• The project could be a nice frame to the Zeolite Street/Sunwood Drive Intersection across from Northstar Marketplace

Both the EDA and Planning Commission have reviewed the concepts and support it on either side of the site.  This project is very preliminary in nature but Staff wanted to be sure that the City Council was kept in the loop of this potential project in the COR and to give an opportunity to show general support for the concept before a formal Purchase Agreement is offered.

This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties. 

The Planning Commission and EDA believe this is a worthy project for this parcel, and is generally comfortable with either alternative site selection. The intent for this evening is high level; does the City Council desire this project to get to the finish line? If so, Staff will chart out the necessary approval process moving forward. This is not intended to be an exhaustive site plan review. 

Motion to confirm the consensus of the Planning Commission and EDA that the City is generally supportive of both site concepts for further evaluation.