Staff Update

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

Vacate Easement at 8250 163rd Ave NW, Case of William Nemec and Shari Monchamp. The City Council adopted an ordinance to vacate portions of drainage and utility easements at 8250 163rd Ave NW. The vacation eliminates an existing encroachment that was recently discovered during a survey of the property. Staff will also be processing an Administrative Subdivision to address an encroachment into a side yard setback. Upon completion of both requests, the Property will be removed of all nonconformities.

Request for Zoning Amendment for Lot 9, Block 2, WINDSORWOOD; Case of the City of Ramsey. The City Council Adopted the Ordinance to amend the Zoning Designation from Public/Quasi-Public to R-1 Residential (Rural Developing). The City Council will consider sale of this Property in the near future.

Consider Extension or Revocation of a Conditional Use Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales at 8175 Riverdale Dr NW; Case of Quality RV. The City Council authorized an extension to complete terms of an approved CUP for Quality RV. It appears that Quality RV has now completed the required improvements.

Consider Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit Approval for Motor Fuel Sales and Car Wash for a Super America Located in the COR TWO Subdivision; Case of West Real Estate and Management, Inc. The City Council approved plans for the Super America.

Request for a Conditional Use Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales at 7815 Riverdale Dr NW; Case of Lake Region RV. The City Council approved the plans for Lake Region RV.

Request for Minor Plat and Site Plan Approval of Northgate Performing Arts Center; Case of Northgate Church, Inc. The City Council approved the plans for the Northgate Performing Arts Center as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Adopt Ordinance to Amend City Code Section 117-118 (The COR) Amending the Design Framework. The City Council adopted the Ordinance amending The COR Design Framework as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Adopt Ordinance to Amend City Code Chapter 117, Article II, Division 8 Entitled Signs. The City Council adopted revisions to the City's sign ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Adopt Ordinance to Vacate Drainage and Utility Easments at 6012 146th Ave NW; Case of Jesse and Dana VerBeek. The City Council approved vacated a portion of excess drainage and utility easement to allow construction of a home consistent with design guidelines for VILLAGE OF SUNFISH LAKE. The City Council also approved an Easement Encroachment Agreement to allow construction to begin prior to the effective date of the Ordinance, at the risk of the Property Owner/Builder.

Weekly Update Now Available on AgendaQuick. Each Week, Staff provides a Weekly Update document for City Staff and City Council regarding items of interest within the City. That document is now available online, and available for Planning Commission review using the City's online agenda. This is the same location Planning Commissioners currently access the Planning Commission Agenda.

Status of Comprehensive Plan Amendments. As the Planning Commission may recall, the City approved a series of Comprehensive Plan Amendments recently, which included areas at Nowthen Boulevard and Green Valley Road (revert back to single-family from neighborhood commercial), 30 Acre South Highway 10 (revert back to commercial from Medium Density Residential), and The COR Development Plan. The amendments for the Green Valley location and south of Highway 10 have been approved. The COR Development Plan is scheduled for Metropolitan Council Community Development Committee on December 3rd and full Metropolitan Council on December 12th. The case reports indicate a favorable recommendation. The review also recommends approval of two (2) Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Grants.

Northstar Commuter Rail-Ramsey Station. As the Planning Commission may be aware, service has started at the Northstar Commuter Rail-Ramsey Schedule. Information and schedules are available online www.metrotransit.org.

Future Land Use of Former Municipal Center at 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW. The City has been asked to review the potential of the former Municipal Center for use as a data center. The City Council and EDA have directed Staff to begin looking at potential layouts as well as zoning and compatibility issues. Review is also proposed to include a public input process, which is currently under design. Staff welcomes input on the process from the Planning Commission. If any changes to land use are proposed as an outcome of this process, the Planning Commission would become involved as part of the official amendment process.

Future Land Use of Area West of The COR, West of Armstrong Boulevard. As part of the Sunwood Drive realignment project, the EDA has asked that Staff look into future land uses for the area west of Armstrong Boulevard. The EDA has asked Staff to begin looking at potential layouts as well as zoning and compatibility issues. Review is also proposed to include a public input process, which is currently under design. Staff welcomes input on the process from the Planning Commission. If any changes to land use are proposed as an outcome of this process, the Planning Commission would become involved as part of the official amendment process.

New SAC Credit Policy. The Metropolitan Council has approved an amendment to the SAC Credit Policy. SAC is a Metropolitan Council fee for Sewer Accessibility Charge. Broadly speaking, the new policy, which somewhat reverts back to a previous policy, allows the City to apply SAC credits anywhere in the community when a permanent reduction in demand is experienced (physical conversion of space). Staff is available to answer specific questions the Planning Commission may have.