Review Calendar Upcoming Public Processes Related to Land Use Review

This case is a copy of a background report to the Planning Commission at the September 5, 2013 Planning Commission Meeting.

Highway 10 Access Planning Study

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is preparing an Access Planning Study for the Highway 10 Corridor in the cities of Ramsey and Anoka.

According to Mn/DOT:

MnDOT and Anoka County, in cooperation with the Cities of Ramsey and Anoka, are conducting the Hwy 10 Access Planning Study to re-examine and identify the ultimate amount of access, types of access and locations of access to Hwy 10 between the Anoka/Sherburne County line and the Rum River. Based upon traffic volumes and safety concerns along this stretch of Hwy 10, project partners agree a freeway is the proper vision for this corridor. However, considering overall state and federal funding levels, it will be challenging to expand this portion of Hwy 10 to a freeway within the current 20-year planning horizon. Therefore, an alternative approach to incrementally improve safety and mobility on Highway 10 is needed in the short-term.

The intent of this study is to identify high-benefit improvements that are fiscally responsible so that improvements can be funded, programmed and implemented incrementally to improve the corridor’s mobility and safety, for motorists and pedestrians, in a timely manner.

To supplement the Mn/DOT problem statement above, the City Council adopted the attached Highway 10 Policy Statements. More information on the project can be found at www.cityoframsey.com/Highway10 and clicking on the 'Highway 10 Access Study' link.

Thursday, September 12, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Alexander Ramsey Room

Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA/Critical Area) Pre-Process Public Collaborative Process

The 2013 Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to update minimum standards in the Critical Area. The City Council directed Staff to host a collaborative process to gather public input before a staff/policy maker meeting with DNR Staff.

The Critical Area is an existing State of Minnesota designation stretching along a 72 mile corridor from Ramsey to Hastings. Ramsey previously adopted an ordinance in order to remain in substantial compliance with the Statute in the 1980s. This upcoming rule-making could potentially update minimum standards, at which time the City would need to amend its City Code. The intent of the Critical Area is to protect key natural, economic, cultural, and ecological resources and protect the scenic qualities of the river corridor. The purpose of the City's initial public process is to gather feedback on what resources and qualities the community would find important to protect (if any), what standards the community would feel comfortable supporting to protect these resources and qualities (if any), and gather questions and/or concerns from stakeholders to make the most out of the City's initial meeting with the DNR and make sure that stakeholders are involved early in the development of potential standards. Mailings have been sent to Property Owners within the Critical Area.

More information can be found on-line at www.cityoframsey.com/shoreland.

Monday, September 16, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Alexander Ramsey Room

167th Avenue Node Future Land Uses

As the City Council is aware, the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA) has been exploring ways to facilitate a reduction of vacancy rates and blighted properties at the land use node at the intersection of 167th Avenue NW and Saint Francis Boulevard (TH 47). At the recommendation of the EDA, the Planning Commission directed Staff to host a public collaborative process for area residents, property owners, and stakeholders. This discussion also includes the recent concept plan review brought forward by Rum River Hills Golf Course for residential development of a portion of their site and reconfiguration of two (2) existing holes.

Staff is proposing a format similar to the preparation of the Future Land Use Map in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Participants would use a full-sized, scaled map to identify opportunities and issues as well as arrange land use types that will translate into a land use map and household, population, and employment forecasts.

As this process is early in development, Staff has not yet sent mailings.

Thursday, September 26, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Alexander Ramsey Room

Former Municipal Center Collaborative Process

As the City Council is aware, the City Council directed Staff to re-engage surrounding Property Owners and key stakeholders in a collaborative process to focus on under what conditions the community would support converting the former municipal center site into a data center site, if the community were to support a data center in that location at all.

Staff has mailed requests for interested parties to participate in the public process. This was the same mailing list that was used for the original open house. Prior to the meeting, the City Council will formalize the focus group as noted in the topic report to City Council.

For more information, visit www.cityoframsey.com/formerrmc.

Thursday, October 24, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lake Itasca Room

Future Business Park Location

The City's EDA has also been working on identifying a location for a future business park. The City has all but exhausted its existing inventory of available sites in its existing districts. The EDA has recommended that Staff focus on the area west of Armstrong Boulevard, north of Highway 10. The first step is to involve the public in a collaborative process to better understand the compatibility of this area with surrounding uses.

Staff is proposing a format similar to the preparation of the Future Land Use Map in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Participants would use a full-sized, scaled map to identify opportunities and issues as well as arrange land use types that will translate into a land use map and household, population, and employment forecasts.

As this process is early in development, Staff has not yet sent mailings.

Thursday, November 21, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lake Itasca Room

Relation to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and 2040 Comprehensive Plan

These processes focused on smaller geographic areas will also be beneficial in the City's upcoming responses to the Metropolitan Council's draft Regional Framework (ThriveMSP 2040). The Regional Framework is the basis and pre-cursor to the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. The Regional Framework is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2030, which will then lead to local 'System Statements'. Within the System Statements, items such as household, population, and employment forecasts are included. The above processes will help guide the City's vision for these items and will allow the City to be more proactive in reviewing such forecasts. The Planning Commission and City Council may also want to consider preparing a draft Future Land Use Map, following the process used in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update, in advance of our System Statement being prepared. This could lead to a System Statement that more closely matches the City's Future Land Use Vision, rather than reacting to the System Statement and developing a Future Land Use Map around the System Statement.

Notifications will be provided consistent with the individual process work plan.

These processes are being handled as part of normal staff duties.

For update only. No action being requested.