PUBLIC HEARING: Oak Terrace Ramsey Park Outlot Variance to Subdivision Code at 6549 Highway 10 NW

Oak Terrace Estates, a mobile home community, has been located at 6545 Hwy 10 NW for many decades.  The City of Ramsey owns a 3.23-acre parcel along the west and northwest sides of Oak Terrace Estates addressed 6549 Higwhay 10 NW.  The City's property is unusually shaped and has a 0.58-acre "triangle" that extends east from the bulk of the property, wrapping around the northwestern side of Oak Terrace.  The City's property was purchased using RALF money for the anticipation of Highway 10's reconstruction that would shift the roadway north.  Since then, the highway design plans have changed so that the City's property is no longer needed.  The City will be selling off the RALF properties over the next few years following the completion of the Highway 10 reconstruction project.  Both the City's property and Oak Terrace Estates are zoned B-3--Regional Business District.  

It was discovered that two of Oak Terrace's units were crossing the property line extending into the triangle portion of the City's property with a third unit extending right to the property line.  A fence has been constructed in the triangle too.   It is not feasible to move the encroaching units as they would block the internal roadway.  The City Council discussed the matter in 2024 and determined the best remedy would be to sell the triangle to Oak Terrace Estates.  The City Council and the owners of Oak Terrace Estates (the Applicant) reached an agreement that includes a full purchase of the triangle with the ability to add six new units.  The City and Oak Terrace have been working to resolve this encroachment issue since June of 2021.

The next step in this process is to subdivide the land in order to create a parcel that can be conveyed.  A lot line adjustment, an administrative action, was explored, but not feasible due to the mortgage that is encumbered on the Oak Terrace Estates property.  Instead, a split of the City's property is being requested; and instead of platting, the Applicant is proposing a metes-and-bounds subdivision of the property.  This type of subdivision is allowed through a Variance in the Subdivision Code.  This type of variance is different than a Zoning Code variance in that a lot more leeway is allowed.  The following is the section of City Code discussing subdivision variances:
The variance allows the metes-and-bounds subdivision by keeping the spirit of the Subdivision Code.  

With the construction of the new units, a utility easement is needed and that will be made a condition of approval.  Due to the mortgage on the Oak Terrace Estates property, the triangle cannot be combined with it until the mortgage is satisfied.  In the meantime, a private easement document allowing the cross-over of the existing units and access will need to be recorded against the triable and the Oak Terrace Estates property.  After the mortgage is satisfied, it is expected that the two parcels will be combined.  

 

Mailed notices were sent to property owners within 700 feet of the site.  A legal notice was placed in the March 14, 2025, Anoka Union Herald Newspaper.  A "proposed development" sign was placed on the property.  

Costs associated with this subdivision are the responsibility of the Applicant.  The City will be paid for the land that is sold to Oak Terrace Estates.  

Staff recommends approval of the subdivision and variance.  

Motion to adopt Resolution #25-062 approving a variance to Subdivision Code at 6549 Highway 10 NW.

Note: The Planning Commission, acting as "The Board of Adjustment," as noted in Section 117-561, has approval authority for this variance.