Adopt Ordinance #14-08 to Amend Sections 117-118 (The COR District) of the Ramsey City Code

The City has received a request from PSD, LLC to amend City Code Section 117-118 (The COR District) in order to allow a drive thru within The COR-1 Subdistrict. PSD desires to open a new restaurant at 7533 Sunwood Drive, located in The COR-1 Subdistrict, with a drive thru lane. Drive thrus are not currently a permitted use in The COR-1 Subdistrict. Drive thrus are currently permitted in all other COR subdistrict with restrictions. A copy of City Code is attached for review.

The Public Hearing Notice for the proposed text amendment was published in the Anoka County Union Herald.

Staff is forwarding an initial draft with minimal restrictions to mirror the other COR subdistricts. This is a starting point for discussion that can be used either for formal consideration or to provide additional Staff direction to make additional modifications.

As currently drafted, a drive thru in The COR-1 Subdistrict would be required to meet all standards of the other subdistricts. One additional standard would apply to The COR-1 Subdistrict. Within this subdistrict, a drive thru lane could not be located adjacent to a Destination Street, which is defined specifically for The COR in City Code and is generally Sunwood Drive. The ordinance provides that these drive thru lanes shall be located in the side or rear yard only. The intent is to preserve the build-to scenario currently existing and planned along Sunwood Drive in The COR.

Given the added standard within the ordinance as well as existing controls, Staff proposes that this use be allowed as a Permitted Use, rather than a Conditional Use. This will streamline the administration of drive thru permitting. Staff has attempted to keep this case somewhat simplistic, capitalizing on existing language already in City Code.

On July 17, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt Ordinance #14-08. The City Council introduced Ordinance #14-08 on July 22, 2014. The Ordinance is now eligible for adoption.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with processing the Application.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with processing the Application.

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement to read the ordinance out loud -AND- adopt Ordinance #14-08.

Roll Call Vote:

Councilmember Tossey
Councilmember Riley
Councilmember Kuzma
Councilmember Johns
Councilmember LeTourneau
Councilmember Backous
Mayor Stommen