7.3.
CC Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 02/14/2017
- By:
- Tim Gladhill, Community Development
Information
Title:
Consider Resolution #17-02-040 Approving a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Armstrong West Area
Purpose/Background:
The purpose of this case is to hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to City Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan Amendment outlined below.
Notification:
Staff attempted to notify all Property Owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property. The Public Hearing Notice was published in the Anoka County UnionHerald.
Observations/Alternatives:
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The Comprehensive Plan Amendment is the first step of several to implementing a land use vision. This first step is often abstract, but provides important broad policy direction to continue on with more detailed analysis. Before the City completes more detailed studies and analysis at increasing costs, the City should ensure that the overall vision is acceptable to the community. This is not the final opportunity for the Planning Commission to recommend policy direction on land use for this area. That being said, if the Commission desires additional information in order to make an informed decision, this is the opportunity to pause and request more detailed information.
The Amendment is focused on two adjacent, but separate project areas.
Medium Density Residential
This area is largely unchanged from the current Comprehensive Plan. In fact, the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment actually slightly reduces density in pockets of the Amendment Area. Of note, two smaller pockets of High Density Residential have now been removed. It is anticipated that the residential project proposed by Capstone Homes (Pearson Farm) will utilize a Planned Unit Development approach to execute the final approvals.
Business Park
The impetus for the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Business Park is the result of a site selection exercise by the City's Economic Development Authority to look for ways to continue to foster future business and employment growth. The City's existing business parks are essentially at capacity, save for a few small infill spots. The City Council's Strategic Action Plan calls for ways to enhance the tax base through economic development initiatives.
Public Engagement
The overall land use concept consisting of a mix of residential, business park, and retail was the result of extensive, collaborative public engagement dating back to 2013. While the boundaries have adjusted, Staff believes the underlying concept is retained through the current amendment. A public comment summary is attached for the City Council's review.
At the Public Hearing, a question was raised about the wetland area between the Hageman Holdings site and the residential subdivision to the north. The resident in attendance found the response that areas were protected by the wetland protection act acting as a buffer between future development and existing development. This comment underscores a consistent comment Staff receives from this area regarding a desire to create and protect a greenway corridor in the area. Staff recommends that this topic be evaluated as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update as an area of potential protection above and beyond the wetland protection act.
Alternatives
The Comprehensive Plan Amendment is the first step of several to implementing a land use vision. This first step is often abstract, but provides important broad policy direction to continue on with more detailed analysis. Before the City completes more detailed studies and analysis at increasing costs, the City should ensure that the overall vision is acceptable to the community. This is not the final opportunity for the Planning Commission to recommend policy direction on land use for this area. That being said, if the Commission desires additional information in order to make an informed decision, this is the opportunity to pause and request more detailed information.
The Amendment is focused on two adjacent, but separate project areas.
- Pearson Properties of Ramsey
- Due to a proposed residential subdivision, some slight adjustments to the Comprehensive Plan are proposed.
- Hageman Holdings
- Per the recommendation of the Economic Development Authority, the Planning Commission is asked to consider amending the Comprehensive Plan to facilitate the development of a new business park. The site is currently a mix of public-quasi public (originally proposed for a large private school) and retail.
Medium Density Residential
This area is largely unchanged from the current Comprehensive Plan. In fact, the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment actually slightly reduces density in pockets of the Amendment Area. Of note, two smaller pockets of High Density Residential have now been removed. It is anticipated that the residential project proposed by Capstone Homes (Pearson Farm) will utilize a Planned Unit Development approach to execute the final approvals.
Business Park
The impetus for the Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Business Park is the result of a site selection exercise by the City's Economic Development Authority to look for ways to continue to foster future business and employment growth. The City's existing business parks are essentially at capacity, save for a few small infill spots. The City Council's Strategic Action Plan calls for ways to enhance the tax base through economic development initiatives.
Public Engagement
The overall land use concept consisting of a mix of residential, business park, and retail was the result of extensive, collaborative public engagement dating back to 2013. While the boundaries have adjusted, Staff believes the underlying concept is retained through the current amendment. A public comment summary is attached for the City Council's review.
At the Public Hearing, a question was raised about the wetland area between the Hageman Holdings site and the residential subdivision to the north. The resident in attendance found the response that areas were protected by the wetland protection act acting as a buffer between future development and existing development. This comment underscores a consistent comment Staff receives from this area regarding a desire to create and protect a greenway corridor in the area. Staff recommends that this topic be evaluated as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update as an area of potential protection above and beyond the wetland protection act.
Alternatives
- Approve the Comprehensive Plan Amendment as presented.
- Postpone a decision and seek additional, more detailed information.
- Do not approve the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and leave future land uses planned as is.
Funding Source:
This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.
Recommendation:
The Planning Commission recommends approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Action:
Motion to adopt Resolution #17-02-040 granting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for portions of the Armstrong West area.
Attachments
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment Map
- Public Engagement Summary (2013)
- Resolution #17-02-040
- DRAFT Planning Commission Minutes dated February 2, 2017
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 02/08/2017 12:34 PM |
| Kurt Ulrich | Kurt Ulrich | 02/09/2017 02:44 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Tim Gladhill
- Started On:
- 02/03/2017 10:05 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 02/09/2017