Staff Update

The following is a brief summary of approvals given in March that may be of interest to the Planning Commission :

• Request for an Interim Use Permit for an Online School at 7550 Highway 10 NW; Case of 2-OI, LLC

Clarification PACT Charter School Interim Use Permit Approval. As noted above, the City Council approved the request for an Interim Use Permit for the PACT Charter School Online Learning Program at the former site of Diamonds Sports Bar and Grill.  The Planning Commission may recall the recommendation from the March Planning Commission Meeting was to also consider a Zoning Amendment/Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Public/Quasi-Public in order to make the proposed use a Permitted Use.  Citing future land use goals and required process on the part of the City as well as the Property Owner, City Council directed Staff to not process said amendment at this time.  Staff will work with the Property Owner over the first year or two of operation and re-evaluate zoning amendments and future land use goals for the site in the future.  The Property Owner was agreeable to the direction.

City Council appoints members to Boards and Commissions.  As part of the process for appointing members to Boards and Commissions, the City Council held interviews on March 6, 2012.  The Planning Commission had one available seat, and Mr. Rob Schiller was appointed to another term.

Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Grants.  The City submitted three (3) grant applications to the TOD Grant round through the Metropolitan Council for construction of the Sunwood Drive re-alignment, the construction of Center Street, and design of the future Highway 10 Pedestrian Overpass (known as Mississippi Skyway).  The City is eligible for this grant opportunities available through the Livable Communities Program of the Metropolitan Council due to the approval of the Northstar Commuter Rail - Ramsey Station and eligible activities within a 1/2 mile radius of the station site.

Local Improvement Capacity (LIC) Grant Application.  Made possible through a US Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Planning Grant, the Metropolitan Council as the lead agency with several private and public partners has created the Corridors of Opportunity Initiative.  The program created pre-development planning grant opportunities.  The City has submitted an application for planning for Municipal Plaza (Village Square Commons), which is directly north of the Municipal Center and location of the Happy Days Festival.

Transit Improvement Area (TIA) Designation Application.  The City has submitted an application of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) as a Transit Improvement Area (TIA).  Similar to the grant opportunities mentioned above, the City is eligble for this program which would open up additional opportunities for grants and loans due to the approval of the Northstar Commuter Rail - Ramsey Station and activities within a 1/2 mile radius.

Request from Podawiltz Development for Local Contribution for Townhome Project in Town Center Gardens 3rd Addition.  At their March 13th Work Session, the City Council directed Staff to continue discussions with Podawiltz Development for a local contribution for a 50 unit townhome project for an area of Town Center Gardens 3rd Addition just east of Town Center Drive, north of Bunker Lake Boulevard.  This area of the Plat currently has streets and utilities constructed, but no development has occured.  City Council direction was to discuss donation of excess property owned by the HRA, vacation of an existing public ROW/conversion to private street, and application for grant opportunities in the amount of $15,000 to complete the gap in local contribution.  According to Podawiltz Development, the local contribution is necessary for scoring purposes for a Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) funding request.  Staff anticipates discussing formal action on the request at the April 10th City Council Meeting.  The Planning Commission will likely be asked to review a request for a revised site plan at a future date.

Update on Local Redistricting Process.  At their March 27th Regular Agenda, the City Council approved a redistricting plan for the City's Ward Map.  Redistricting is a process that is completed every ten (10) years following completion of the US Census in order to balance changes in population.  As part of the State Redistricting process, a portion of Ramsey was divided by Minnesota House boundaries in Ward 1.  In addition, the City's redistricting approval shifts a portion of Ward 1 into Ward 2 in order to balance population.  Finally, some Polling Locations have changed based on the redistricting and size needs.  Citizens should review the new Ward Map, available on display at the Ramsey Municipal Center or online at www.cityoframsey.com.  In addition, all voters will be notified on their polling location and voter information via postcard by Anoka County.

City of Ramsey Hosts Northstar Commuter Rail - Ramsey Station Groundbreaking.  The Planning Commission may be aware that the City recently hosted a groundbreaking for the Rail Station.  Permits have been approved for the project, expected to be completed sometime in November, 2012.

First Phoenix Group of Ramsey, LLC Submits Application for Building Permit for Stoney River.  Staff has received an Application for Building Permit for the Stoney River project on the current Lord of Life site.  Staff is currently working with the Developer to complete the Platting process in order to allow construction to begin.  According to First Phoenix and Lord of Life representatives, closing is anticipated in mid-April.

Notice of Public Hearing and Availability of Environmental Assessment for Great River Energy’s Proposed Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line Project. The Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Facility Permitting will hold a public hearing on this project on Monday, April 16th at 6:00 p.m. at Anoka City Hall (2015 First Ave).