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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 3 Public Comment 94 95 Staff referenced numerous e-mails received to-date by staff; each attached hereto 96 and made a part hereof. Gene Anderson, 1707 Alta Vista Drive 97 98 Mr. Anderson had provided his questions in a previous e-mail to staff, and thanked them 99 for their timely responses. Mr. Anderson briefly reviewed his concerns and comments 100 from that e-mail; and opined that it was a compatible use for that corner and advised that 101 he was looking to it being located on that corner; and appreciated the location of the 102 building on the current site plan versus the 2008 proposal. Mr. Anderson sought 103 assurances that there would be no noise from the A/C unit(s) and questioned who would 104 maintain the right-of-way on Alta Vista once the facility was built. Mr. Anderson advised 105 that the portion owned by Ramsey County was not currently well-maintained. 106 Mr. Lloyd advised that the items of concerned addressed by Mr. Anderson were still 107 pending: the mechanical equipment design which would determine how to address noise 108 issues of the equipment chosen and its location in the trash enclosure. Mr. Lloyd noted 109 that the City currently had noise and nuisance ordinances that would need to be met; but 110 that staff would continue to work with the applicant as the specifics of the final design 111 elements were completed and it was determined where the actual location would be, at 112 which time staff would address any off-site and/or on-site issues. 113 Mr. Anderson advised that noise was a concern for him, opining that once the unit was 114 installed it would be difficult to move it. 115 Mr. Anderson questioned the time of day trash would be removed. 116 Mr. Lloyd advised that City Code addressed trash pick-ups; however, noted that some 117 commercial businesses needed to be serviced depending on the type of use and type of 118 trash. 119 Mr. Lloyd, in addressing the right-of-way concerns, advised that the adjacent property 120 owner was usually required to maintain the boulevard. 121 Mr. Anderson opined that the fence din area and sidewalk along the property line would 122 be an improvement to current conditions; and further opined that the proposed parking 123 stalls were an improvement to the 2008 plan; and liked the building fronting Larpenteur 124 Avenue, but sought assurances that there would be a sufficient buffer between the 125 subject parcel and adjoining properties. 126 Mr. Anderson noted his other concern related to traffic; and expressed his preference that 127 staff and visitors be urged to become quickly familiar with signage in the area to avoid 128 illegal turns and traffic stacking. Georgiana Gjertson, 1703 Alta Vista Drive 129 130 Ms. Gjertson noted her location fifteen feet (15)’ from the parking lot now and the hedge 131 of old Lilacs and trees right up against the curb, and advised that she had painstakingly 132 pruned and hired people to remove deadwood and install mulch in that area; and hoped 133 that her efforts were not for naught. Ms. Gjertson questioned the location of existing 134 trees, some of which needed to be removed; whether a fence would be installed and if 135 so, it’s proposed location; and sought assurances from the applicant that they would 136 make sure the property looked nice. Mr. Winges responded to concerns of Mr. Anderson and Ms. Gjertson (off 137 microphone) 138 advising that every effort would be taken to value engineer the 139 mechanicals to determine the best placement; and it was intended to leave the trees 140 where they were to provide a buffer for adjacent properties as well as the new facility. Mr. 141 Winges reiterated his interest in making sure the property looked nice; and assured 142 neighbors that they wanted to be good neighbors and invited them to tour existing 143 facilities and address any concerns to them. Mr. Winges advised that their firm was very 144 proactive about talking to their neighbors, and preferred to address these issues ahead of