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Memo to Planning Commission/0A96-2 Page 4 <br /> April 23, 1996 <br /> • Will allowing development outside the "immediate" service area <br /> • jeopardize full utilization of the existing infrastructure (i.e., utility lines, <br /> roads, signal lights, etc.)? <br /> • What type of uses will be attracted to these areas and will the quality of <br /> development be consistent with the City's long range goals? (Think of <br /> Highway 10 through Ramsey and Highway 101 between Rogers and Elk <br /> River. Cheap land, convenient access and a proliferation of"land intense" <br /> uses (i.e., contractor yards, storage, vehicle sales). <br /> • What role will the City have to play in order to facilitate redeveloping or <br /> extending utilities in the future? Furthermore, at what cost will this <br /> occur? <br /> Fire Protection <br /> The fire chief recently enlightened me with some information regarding <br /> Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating system to evaluate a city's <br /> ability to protect residential, commercial and industrial structures <br /> throughout the community. The lower the city's ranking (1 being the best), <br /> the lower the private business' fire insurance rates may be. Currently, the <br /> City has a rating of 5 in its urban area and a 9 in its rural area. Although <br /> III this ranking has no direct benefit to the City, other than possibly using the <br /> lower fire rates as an incentive for economic development purposes, it does <br /> benefit private businesses. Certainly the goal of the Fire Department is to <br /> lower (improve) the City's rating both in the urban and rural area. In order <br /> for this to occur additional equipment may need to be purchased to <br /> adequately fight fires in the rural area. <br /> The Fire Chief has included a memo speaking to the department's concern <br /> with development without adequate fire protection. <br /> Property Taxes <br /> One of the possible advantages of allowing growth and development prior to <br /> the availability of municipal services is the added tax base. As it has been <br /> well documented, commercial and industrial development contribute <br /> handsomely to the City's tax base. To illustrate this, the following is an <br /> example of the contribution made by a 20,000 square foot industrial business <br /> along east Highway 10: <br /> • <br /> s:\planning\pc\oa96-2xx.doc <br />