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Regular Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, July 11, 2012 <br />Page 5 <br />the Comprehensive Plan Update process, which he now found to be like an alternative universe <br />202 <br />compared to recent discussions about not prohibiting large scale retailers. Mr. Grefenberg opined <br />203 <br />that he had never met a zoning ordinance applied through restrictions, but rather by guarantees <br />204 <br />on future development within the community; and that this seemed to him what the <br />205 <br />Comprehensive Plan was intended to do (Attachment B, page 6, #3) <br />206 <br />Mr. Grefenberg opined that this conflict was again addressed and repeated in the December 9, <br />207 <br />2011 letter from City Attorney Bartholdi; and further opined that he found that letter supportive of <br />208 <br />the findings of SWARN. <br />209 <br />Mr. Grefenberg advised that a majority of SWARN’s appeal was based on the three (3) business <br />210 <br />designations, as stated by Ms. Schaffer, and background materials prepared by staff that also <br />211 <br />referenced it. Mr. Grefenberg opined that a compromise had been achieved at the 2030 <br />212 <br />Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee level discussions, but was now being disregarded to <br />213 <br />remove that zoning designation. Mr. Grefenberg referenced, as an example, designation of the <br />214 <br />Target Store as Regional Business designation, but now the Comprehensive was not being <br />215 <br />adhered to with a similar use by the proposed Wal-Mart. Mr. Grefenberg reviewed the definition of <br />216 <br />Community Business and specific reference to it not being for free-standing, large-scale retailers <br />217 <br />(page 9 of SWARN’s appeal, #6). <br />218 <br />Ms. Dushin read the definition of Community Business (Comprehensive Plan, page 4-8). <br />219 <br />Mr. Grefenberg opined that, by that definition in Chapter 4 of the Comprehensive Plan (4-8), <br />220 <br />provided by Ms. Schaffer, it intended exclusion of a use consisting of a 160,000 square foot super <br />221 <br />center. <br />222 <br />Ms. Dushin, referencing the lengthy June 21, 2012 staff report arguing their position, no reference <br />223 <br />was made to the conflict of Regional and Community Business designations. However, Ms. <br />224 <br />Dushin opined that this was clearly an issue, since staff had asked the City Attorney for an opinion <br />225 <br />specific to that. <br />226 <br />Mr. Grefenberg noted, for the Commission, that SWARN had not made any mention in their <br />227 <br />findings, or in tonight’s verbal comments, to the Wal-Mart issues related to Mexico, insurance <br />228 <br />issues, or about living wages and were attempting to play by the rules. <br />229 <br />Mr. Grefenberg expanded his comments at this time to focus on government’s credibility with the <br />230 <br />wider community. Mr. Grefenberg called attention to the charges public perceptions that Planning <br />231 <br />Commissioners and City staff are corrupt and only concerned about their own welfare, creating a <br />232 <br />wealth of cynicism. Mr. Grefenberg referenced the concerns he first heard at the May 21, 2012 <br />233 <br />Public Hearing at the Planning Commission, with citizens expressing surprise in not having heard <br />234 <br />of this Wal-Mart proposal before, since they were under the impression that the Comprehensive <br />235 <br />Plan limited regional businesses to the Regional Business Zone (e.g. Rosedale and Target sites). <br />236 <br />Mr. Grefenberg opined that the community believed that their compact the City had made with its <br />237 <br />residents would be used by staff as a framework to shape the character and enhance the quality <br />238 <br />of life of Roseville, referencing page 1 of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Grefenberg opined that this <br />239 <br />had created a problem with the credibility among those involved with the Comprehensive Plan and <br />240 <br />City staff/officials, and created a situation that indicated the need for more vigorous attention. <br />241 <br />In conclusion, Mr. Grefenberg opined that the determination of compliance with the <br />242 <br />Comprehensive Plan seemed to take second place by the Planning Division staff, with that <br />243 <br />determination first evidenced in a less than transparent manner, prior to any Public Hearing, by <br />244 <br />the DRC in January of 2012. Mr. Grefenberg opined that this entire process promoted polarization <br />245 <br />rather than collaboration; and further opined that an attorney shouldn’t be needed every time there <br />246 <br />was disagreement between the public and staff. And Mr. Grefenberg opined that he was <br />247 <br />concerned with the way the question was framed by staff for this proposal, as well as for the <br />248 <br />previous asphalt plant. <br />249 <br />Mr. Grefenberg stated that he would like less advocacy and more analysis from staff; and asked <br />250 <br />that the Planning Commission recognize that residents were here to collaborate. Mr. Grefenberg <br />251 <br />noted that some Roseville residents had done this before and could help improve on the process. <br />252 <br />No matter the results of this process, Mr. Grefenberg emphasized the need to make sure citizens <br />253 <br /> <br />