PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Ordinance #15-01 Approving a Zoning Amendment for R-1 Residential (MUSA) at 15153 Nowthen Blvd NW; Case of the City of Ramsey

The purpose of this case is to adopt a resolution to approve a Zoning Amendment for the former municipal center located at 15153 Nowthen Blvd NW. The site is currently being used as Fire Station #2. The City Council previous adopted a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to allow for this subsequent Zoning Amendment on October 28, 2014.

As the Commission is aware, the City has been exploring future redevelopment options for the former municipal center over the past 12-18 months, including the formation of a Study Group. At that time, the task for the Study Group was to consider under what conditions, if any, it would be acceptable to allow the site to redevelop as a data center. Ultimately, the City Council decided not to pursue the reuse of the site as a data center and directed Staff to prepare a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to guide the site for Low Density Residential to allow for detached, single-family homes.

There is not a development being proposed at this time. This step will begin the process to ultimately allow the Subject Property to be redeveloped at a later date.

Please note that Staff has included the Findings Report of the Study Group that focused on the potential for a data center on this site. A reminder that the City is not considering this alternative at this time, but the Findings Report provides important perspective and input from said Study Group.

Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property of the Public Hearing. Additionally, Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners that received the original mailing in 2013 of the City's review of the site, totaling 244 properties. The Notice of Public Hearing was also published in the Anoka County Union.

Since the late 1970s until 2006, the Subject Property had been used as the Ramsey Municipal Center. In 2006, the City opened the current Municipal Center on Sunwood Drive. The Subject Property is still being used as Fire Station #2. The City is in the process of finalizing the design of the replacement Fire Station #2, to be located on Alpine Drive.

The Subject Property is currently located in the Public/Quasi-Public District, which comprises churches, schools, city offices, public works facilities, fire stations, and other government or non-profit facilities.

In 2012, the City Council moved to declare the Subject Property as surplus City-owned land and explore marketing the site for sale. In order to allow the site to be privately developed, the City must amend its Zoning Map. The City has already approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, which is the first step in changing future land use for parcels.

The Official Zoning Map will be amended to R-1 Residential (MUSA), which will facilitate the private development of the Subject Property as detached, single-family homes averaging a quarter-acre in lot size. This district allows for a minimum of three (3) units per net developable acre.  The land use designation would allow for approximately 61 households. However, unique site conditions and actual net developable area may bring that closer to 50.

The Comprehensive Plan is the guiding future land use document, while the Zoning Code is the official tool in order to implement the Comprehensive Plan. Ultimately, a future developer will need to apply for Subdivision/Plat review for an actual development proposal.

The City has a considerable amount of data available online on the Subject Property located at www.cityoframsey.com/formerrmc. Printed materials from this project webpage are available upon request.

The Zoning Amendment is being handled as part of normal Staff duties, as the Subject Property is City-owned.

Staff recommends that the City adopt Ordinance #15-01.

Motion to adopt Ordinance #15-01.