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DONALD F. ZIBELL Attorney at Law 2233 Hamline Avenue North, Suite 511 Roseville, Minnesota 55113 (612) 633-3623 ~~~~- Ot-\h'. ~r'\~~. (fr-01'~'~} ~.~.6). 9\IS ~ ~[2 t2. r, nWJ~ ]\\ Its \2~;:--"-l\ I 111\.\' '. II m tl w- ~~<t A? ~. September 10, 1998 Mr. Daniel Wall Mayor, City ofRoseville Greenstein, Mabley & Wall, LLC 2803 Lincoln Drive #300 Roseville, MN 55113 Dear Dan: As a charter director of the Roseville Central Park Foundation, I am writing to explain my opposition to the resolution of the Board of Directors that opposed the proposed senior housing project adjoining Central Park. I do not think the organization should take a position on the issue because the purpose of the Foundation under its Articles oflncorporation is to develop Central Park, not to get involved in who uses it or what develops around it. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, it should not engage in lobbying on controversial issues, although its action probably is not enough to jeopardize its tax-exempt status. On the second resolution urging the City to purchase the property jointly with the Church for parking, I abstained. The purchase price would be too high for parking that is not really needed and is not part of the master plan. The money could be better used to speed up development of the Arboretum or enhance the Nature Center area. Should additional parking be needed occasionally for the Lions' Picnic Shelter, if the Church is permitted to enlarge its parking lot in connection with the senior housing project, the City could probably use the lot, when not needed for church purposes, rree or for a nominal rent. The City cannot be expected to purchase all of the properties around the park that become available merely to protect a view. Furthermore, I would hate to see the Foundation use the proceeds rrom its annual fund raisers for the next fifteen or twenty years to pay for a parking lot. On the merits of senior housing, I can safely say that a senior independent living facility would not adversely affect the park in any way. I have been involved as an unpaid volunteer in the development of several non-profit senior housing projects in the Twin Cities area and they are highly desirable. The residents spend their money locally and don't require services such as schools. They allow seniors to remain in their community close to family members. Senior citizens may not be able to use the park as actively as younger people, but they can enjoy it by watching others. A location next to a church is highly desirable, not only because of