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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, April 06, 2011 Page 8 Gary Grefenberg, 91 Mid Oaks Lane 345 Mr. Grefenberg opined that staff’s 2008 recommendation had been wrong and their 346 current recommend was accurate. Mr. Grefenberg noted that this current application was 347 also on a different site, and was proposed to immediately adjoin a residential 348 neighborhood, while the 2008 application was surrounding on four (4) sides by 349 commercial uses. Mr. Grefenberg therefore opined that adverse impacts on the 350 surrounding low- and medium-density residential area would have even more of a 351 negative impact. As a member of the former Comprehensive Plan Update Steering 352 Committee, Mr. Grefenberg opined that the Plan’s guidance spoke to this issue and such 353 adverse uses had been part of discussions of the Committee as they reviewed and 354 expressed significant concerns about the decline of “south” Snelling Avenue, now 355 dominated by rental properties. Mr. Grefenberg opined that, from his perspective, decline 356 was not just a cliché, but a reality for his neighborhood, and based in fact, with many 357 single-family homes on the west side of Snelling transition from owner-occupied to 358 rentals or group homes; and expressed his concern that uses such as this proposed use 359 would only serve to hasten that decline. Mr. Grefenberg specifically referenced page 4-27 360 of the Comprehensive Plan and its review of residential areas south of County Road B, 361 and suggested mitigation measures, such as buffer zones, and personally recommended 362 studies of the entire corridor to reverse such a decline. Mr. Grefenberg noted that such a 363 use would install another commercial use and cause further residential property value 364 declines, whether crime concerns were only perceived or became a reality. Mr. 365 Grefenberg further opined that it should be the wish of the Planning Commission as 366 planners, not only the City Council as elected officials, to address the welfare of Snelling 367 Avenue. Mr. Grefenberg encouraged Commissioners to deny this request, based on its 368 proximity to a residential area. 369 Mr. Grefenberg expressed his ongoing concern with the notification process for land use 370 cases; and suggested additional review of that notification process to include tenants of 371 rental properties as well as property owners, beyond legal notice requirements, in an 372 effort for the City to be more proactive in seeking opinions of affected residents. 373 Mr. Grefenberg opined that the Commission had clear reason to deny this request based 374 on the support of the neighborhood and their preferences, without any concern about 375 politics. 376 Margaret (Peg) Cavanagh, 1715 W Eldridge Avenue 377 Ms. Cavanagh read and referenced her written notes related to four (4) studies by 378 planners and public policy makers coast to coast, as well as comments of Realtor Bill 379 Tellen, as referenced in her e-mail comments, made a part of this record, and related to 380 negative impacts on property values, as well as public safety with crime rates at adjacent 381 bus stops and associated with pawn shop operations, creating the potential for higher 382 taxes for residents and businesses. Ms. Cavanagh provided a copy of the studies to Vice 383 Chair Gisselquist to be included as part of the public record; attached hereto and made 384 a part hereof. 385 Ms. Terry Qualie, Ridgewood Lane 386 Ms. Qualie, provided her personal experience of the theft of tools from her residence near 387 the intersection of Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue and their subsequent attempted 388 sale at a pawn shop, in addition to the cost for police investigations and recovery of 389 stolen goods. Ms. Qualie further noted the continuing deterioration of home values versus 390 property taxes at their family home for over fifty-two (52) years. Ms. Qualie opined that 391 the City and area did not need another business that would negatively impact property 392 values that were already in distress due to the current economy. 393 Todd Rehmann, 1649 Ridgewood Lane S 394 Mr. Rehmann opined that he was heartened by staff’s recommendation for denial; and 395 opined that their analysis had been well formulated, based on research of reflected 396 sentiments shared by residents represented in the neighborhood. Mr. Rehmann 397 expressed his appreciation of the number of neighbors voicing their opposition to this 398