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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 6, 2022 5 <br /> <br />City Planner Jagoe stated she had sent the application to them for review and noted staff will <br />follow up as part of this process to see if they have any comment before the City Council <br />meeting. She indicated that as part of the FFL licensing paperwork there is a section for local <br />law enforcement that the applicant will have to complete as part of the federal review. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums commented this was a sensitive topic for many people. He reported there has to <br />be a thorough review of this topic by the City and it appears this has been done. He felt confident <br />that this type of business will not alter the neighborhood in any manner. He appreciated the <br />security and mitigation measures that were put in place on the property. <br /> <br />Commissioner Weber agreed. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. <br /> <br />Renee Crumpton, 1680 Wedgewood Circle, noted she has lived in her home for the past 22 <br />years. She indicated the neighboring home became a rental three years after she built her home <br />and there has been nothing but problems. She explained the neighboring home has been broken <br />into on two different occasions. She stated she pays taxes on her property and Mr. Spicer does <br />not because he was a renter. She reported the proposed home business made her afraid and she <br />feared people would break into her neighbors house to steal the weapons onsite. She encouraged <br />the City to not approve this home occupation CUP. <br /> <br />JoAnn Cirks, 1687 Wedgewood Circle, commented she was concerned about the proposed <br />home occupation. She indicated she lives on a cul-de-sac and there has been packages stolen at <br />times. She feared that the residents in her neighborhood would have a hard time selling their <br />homes if the CUP were approved. She anticipated the home occupation would devalue her <br />home. She recommended the Planning Commission not approve the requested CUP. <br /> <br />Tom Coffey, 1693 Wedgewood Circle, stated he has a number of questions. He indicated he was <br />concerned with the fact the applicant was a renter. He explained he pays a great deal in property <br />taxes to live in Arden Hills, while the applicant does not. He questioned why the City had not <br />run a report on CUP’s to see how many others were renters running home occupations. He <br />believed that Richard Spicer was a nice person, but did not believe a rental home was the right <br />place for this type of business. He anticipated that most homeowners would not allow a renter to <br />operate this type of business out of their home. He noted the applicant also runs another business <br />out of the home that deals with the retail sale of toys. <br /> <br />Mr. Coffey reported he has used an FFL in the past to purchase a gun online and he had to go to <br />the home to fill out the paperwork and take possession of the weapon. He noted this was in a <br />residential neighborhood in Blaine. He questioned if the process had changed. He asked if the <br />work space for the home business was being done in a three season porch. He believed that this <br />was not a secure workspace. <br /> <br />There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums requested the applicant respond to the questions that were raised by the <br />neighbors.