2021-07-14 CC Minutes - Approved

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City of Centerville Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2021 Mr. Al LaMotte, 1643 Sorel Street, desired to provide Council with background of the parcel in question by stating that a farmer in town purchased and donated the property to the City for a hockey rink for community children years previous. He stated that he has spoken with many of those, now adults, who are disappointed in Council’s decision to development the land and to the extent of what is being proposed. He stated that he does not feel that this will keep the “small town” feel. He questioned the City’s desire to gain population to 5,000 and asked why Council is subsidizing the contractor by giving them the parcel and everything. Acting Mayor Koski asked Administrator Statz as to the appropriate time to address resident’s comments/questions and chose to continue accepting comment. Administrator Statz concurred. Ms. Julie Lindsay, 1687 Sorel Street, she stated that she started a petition on Saturday, July 10, 2021 to stop building the high-density proposed development. She stated that she heard time and time again from the neighbors that Mr. Rivard donated a portion of the proposed Block 7 to the City years previous for a park and if the property was not utilized in that fashion it was to be returned back to him. She is wondering how and when that would be addressed/resolved. She stated that normally 4-5 homes would be allowed for a parcel of that size. She also stated that she is asking how 26, 2-story row-homes with 52 vehicles on that lot are better for the community of Centerville when people who reside in Centerville or who move to Centerville prefer the “small town” feel. She stated that current traffic levels in the downtown area are difficult, unsafe at times and an additional 52 cars would add to the congestion. She stated that 62 homes in the vicinity of the development would be affected by that traffic. She suggested that the Planning & Zoning Commission reconsider the zoning for this parcel to be single-family residential and install the park that was intended by Mr. Rivard’s donation. She stated that she and other residents feel the same way. Ms. Lindsay stated that she does not understand the ins and outs of the Comprehensive Plan and what avenues would need to be taken to change this zoning. She was concerned about the goal of a population of 5,000 residents to gain State Aid from the State of MN without regarding to the small town. She believes that a traffic study should have been completed prior to any proposal for development of the property. Ms. Lindsay submitted the petition and stated that only one (1) individual stated that the City needed the tax money and all others are not in favor of the project. Mr. Jon Brickner, 1580 Sorel Street, stated that he lived one (1) block west of the proposed project, attended this evening’s meeting to show support his friends and neighbors that surround the proposed project. He stated that this block, “Block 7” is a 1.62 acre parcel with nine (9) single- family, residential homes surrounding the project. He desired to provide input in five (5) areas that Council may not have taken into consideration and as to why this proposal is unfair to surrounding property owners, unjustifiable to all residents and taxpayers of Centerville. He stated that Centerville residents do not want urban development and requested that page 2 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan be provided for reference. He stated that the Comprehensive Plan is utilized to guide the City in development for the future and was to be updated in 2018. He also stated that in 2017 the City hired a firm to gain input from residents as to what was important to them. They stated some of the word were “trails”, “community”, “family” and “rural” where all a part of the input. He stated what was important to him was rural. He also stated that recently there was a proposal for an apartment building on property north of Main Street near the bank. He stated that there is over 1,000 signatures on an on-line petition (Stopcenterville.com) to stop urban development and should be eye opening to Council. He also discussed the population increase to Page 2 of 10