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Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, April 06, 2011 <br />Page 7 <br />worldwide, and noting the commonality with pawn shops defined as one of those <br />297 <br />characteristics. <br />298 <br />Member Boguszewski noted the differences in the opinion of the City’s Police <br />299 <br />Department between the 2008 case and this one (Section 7.8 of the staff report) and <br />300 <br />sought supporting information to determine the accuracy of the statement showing <br />301 <br />additional resources were required. <br />302 <br />Mr. Lloyd advised that the Police Chief was unavailable for comment at tonight’s meeting; <br />303 <br />and that further refinement of those comments could be provided at the City Council level <br />304 <br />if so requested. <br />305 <br />Member Boguszewski encouraged staff to make that detailed information available for <br />306 <br />that meeting. <br />307 <br />Member Wozniak clarified that the Planning Commission had voted 5/1 in support of the <br />308 <br />previous pawn shop application, since the Commission had been convinced by staff’s <br />309 <br />analysis that it would not increase crime, public security threats, or increased activity for <br />310 <br />the Police Department. Member Wozniak noted assurances of the Police Department in <br />311 <br />2008 of the efficiencies of the Automated Pawn System and tracking of potential criminal <br />312 <br />activity. Member Wozniak concurred with Member Boguszewski that the current staff <br />313 <br />recommendation seemed to be based on the City Council’s previous denial and their <br />314 <br />findings for that denial, and not based on Planning Commission determinations. <br />315 <br />Mr. Lloyd noted that staff’s recommendation was consistent with previous City Council <br />316 <br />action taken since the findings and their decision was founded on public testimony <br />317 <br />provided during those public meetings, and not merely a City Council decision, but based <br />318 <br />on their reception to public testimony and facts presented by the public. <br />319 <br />Member Wozniak opined that some of the City Council findings were not consistent with <br />320 <br />facts presented with the last application; and expressed concern that staff was basing <br />321 <br />their recommendation based solely on the City Council’s findings. <br />322 <br />Mr. Lloyd reiterated that staff was basing their recommendation for denial on the findings <br />323 <br />subsequent to the 2008 application; he opined that since there was nothing to suggest <br />324 <br />any different outcome between this application and the 2008 application in terms of the <br />325 <br />relevant facts for such a use; and that staff stood by their recommendation for denial. <br />326 <br />Member cook questioned if there had been any changes in the Comprehensive Plan <br />327 <br />since the 2008 case that would impact this application. <br />328 <br />Mr. Lloyd responded negatively, opining that no Comprehensive Plan or Zoning Code <br />329 <br />revisions were made that would impact whether or not this use was appropriate in this <br />330 <br />location, other than introductory language in the documents guiding uses to be more <br />331 <br />explicitly protective of residential neighborhoods. <br />332 <br />Vice Chair Gisselquist reviewed the Public Hearing and Public Comment protocol for <br />333 <br />audience members wishing to speak. <br />334 <br />The applicant was not present at tonight’s meeting. <br />335 <br />Public Comment <br />336 <br />In addition to numerous e-mails and phone contacts with staff included in and/or <br />337 <br />referenced as part of the meeting packet, additional e-mails were provided as bench <br />338 <br />handouts, attached hereto and made a part hereof, all in opposition to the proposed <br />339 <br />pawn shop, with the exception of one (1) phone call received by staff seeking additional <br />340 <br />information, but not ultimately opposed to the proposed use. <br />341 <br />Vice Chair Gisselquist noted that written comments, via e-mail or other methods, would <br />342 <br />be entered into the official record; and while welcoming public testimony, advised that, in <br />343 <br />an effort to conserve time, there was not a need to repeat those written comments. <br />344 <br /> <br />