05/02/2011 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • • It's a combination of issues: the building must conform in use and meet the building code. • City of Ramsey has transitional zoning on Highway 10 so that substandard properties can't be over - improved. This is a safeguard and also everybody knows up front that the uses are restricted and interim. Allows redevelopment to occur that is financially feasible. • Put fences around the outside storage. • If they are successful with outside storage they are likely to stay, which puts off redevelopment. • Make the council aware of the tools available. • What are we saying to the building owner? If you buy a building, and the business fails, if you want to sell, you can't unless somebody comes in and pays for the entire sewer line. You've lost all your value. The city should allow continued use and possibly another use in the building. Otherwise it's unfair to the property owner to say you can't improve the property to make it saleable. • Conditional use permit to make sure that whatever goes in is of the best quality, and has some additional review. • Can't do any significant additions, but can do maintenance. • We want to shoot for commercial, just how do we get there? • Create an overlay of transitional commercial rather than a new zoning category to make for easier approvals. (Could include 49 Club and other properties on Lake Drive) • Is the city in the land and real estate business? Mr. Smyser reminded members that a use that is operating and is nonconforming, can continue. It's when the use moves out and another use wants to move in that is nonconforming. Mr. Roeser said some of these ideas are good, or potentially finding someone who would build a self storage area, which can be somewhat temporary. Ms. Schwartz wondered where the city was reviewing and updating the zoning ordinance in order to implement the draft comp plan, and could this issue be a part of that? Mr. Smyser said to date staff has focused on environmental ordinances, such as stormwater and greenways. Any amendments to the zoning ordinance will have to go through the boards. Mr. Roeser questioned whether there was government funding for wetland improvements. Staff was not aware of that. Funds are available for brownfield clean-up, but that takes an analysis of a site. Mr. Roeser stated that he hoped that EDAC felt they had more of an ear of the council. As an aside, he informed the board that in 2009 there were 204 houses sold in the city, including foreclosures, and the majority were two -story townhomes. Next meeting will be May 6, 2010 at 7 a.m. Meeting adjourned. 3