Consider Recommendation for Resolution #15-01-002 Granting Site Plan Approval of Fire Station No. 2 Replacement to be Located at 5650 Alpine Dr NW;
Case of the City of Ramsey

The purpose of this case is to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a proposed site plan for a new Fire Station No. 2 to be located at 5650 Alpine Dr NW. This is the first of multiple steps for the City Council to consider in advancing towards construction of a new Fire Station No. 2. Approval of the Site Plan for Fire Station No. 2 does not give final authorization to commence construction. The City Council will still need to advertise for competitive bids and award a contract if it chooses to move forward with construction.

The proposed 10,000+ square foot building will provide office, meeting, locker room, and apparatus bay areas for a Paid On-Call Fire Department to replace the existing Fire Station located at 15153 Nowthen Blvd NW, the former municipal center. The facility is not designed for a full-time Fire Department staff. This will be a multi-purpose facility with space for a Police Department Sub-Station, Allina Health Emergency Medical Services, and polling location for local elections. The site also currently is the location of an Anoka County Communications Tower (800 MHz). The proposed facility will gain access from both Helium Street and Alpine Drive.

Notification is not required for Site Plan Review; however, Staff has attempted to notify adjacent Property Owners via Standard US Mail to gather feedback on the request.

The Project Management Team on the design for the City includes the Economic Development Manager/Assistant City Administrator, the Fire Chief, and Chief #2 (representing Fire Station #2). The architect of record on the project is the BKV Group. The civil engineer of record is Wenck Associates.

The Property is located in the Public/Quasi-Public District, which includes municipal buildings as a permitted use. The City utilizes the B-1 General Business District dimensional standards to guide design and review, as this district is intended to blend with residential uses. The proposed layout appears to meet all dimensional standards as required by City Code and outlined in the attached Staff Review File.

The exterior materials are proposed to consist of mainly brick, with pre-cast concrete panels (textured and colored), metal accents, glass windows, and metal roof. The Project Management Team has selected a pitched roof design to better blend with the adjacent residential development, as opposed to a flat roof design. The design of the building appears to be consistent with City Code requirements as outlined in the attached Staff Review File.

Based on previous land use analysis with surrounding Property Owners, Staff is aware that potential glare from light is a concern for any future development in the area for adjacent residents. As required by City Code, the Project Management Team has assembled a Project Manual, a portion of which is included with this case. This Project Manual includes shop drawings and photometric diagrams. A final Photometric Plan will be developed prior to approval of the Site Plan.

The proposed Landscape Plan is generally acceptable, with amendments as outlined in the Staff Review File. Staff is working with the Project Management Team to identify additional Best Management Practices (BMPs) to serve as a quality demonstration project that would illustrate the innovative and quality BMPs the community attempts to strive for in creating various development standards. The Project Management Team is working on identifying potential enhancements in the areas of stormwater management, turf maintenance, and landscape materials. The goal is to balance these ideas with quality aesthetic design and presentation of the building itself. A final determination will be made prior to approving plans for advertisement for bids.

The proposed Civil Engineering Plans (grading, utility, and erosion control) are generally acceptable, with amendments as outlined in the Staff Review File. Similar to the Landscape Plans, the Project Management Team is working on additional BMPs related to Stormwater Management.

Review of the site plan for Fire Station No. 2 is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution #15-01-002 approving the Site Plan for Fire Station No. 2.

Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt Resolution #15-01-002 approving the Site Plan for Fire Station No. 2.