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TP'" A Lillie Suburban Newspaper Tuesday, May 21, 2002 ROS ----- Rick Wacha, Review An abandoned gas station weathers away at the southeast corner of Lexington and Roselawn avenues. Last week, the Roseville City Council approved a development which will remove the eyesoar and make way for two, three-story buildings on the site. Three-story buildings planned for Lexington comer Neighbors cry foul afterPlnDischanged Jennifer Gansen news editor Despite last-minute pleas from several nearby homeowners to keep the original plan intact, the Roseville City Council voted 3-2 on May 6 to accept a revised development plan for land at the comer of Roselawn and Lexington avenues. The original planned unit development, approved in March, called for a two-story, L- shaped office complex built near the lot line (still 26 feet back) and facing the intersection. Medical, dental and other general business offices would be housed there. A three-story, 22-unit apartment complex to house physically handicapped residents would then be con- -~--..-.. 1._1.:~,:/ +1,,,+ ,,1....,,<1 with a holdine: uond back and shared by both complexes. The plan that was approved, however, was modified significantly. It calls for two, three- story buildings to be constructed on the four-lot parcel., The office complex was moved to the center of the site, with parking located up front. The apartment complex would mirror the height of the office building and be con- structed with a 27-foot front setback off of Roselawn Avenue. Nearby homeowners were not pleased. "The neighborhood, the townhome owners association, city staff and the Planning Com- mission all signed off on the original plan," said Joan Bierscheid, the owner of a townhome which faces the property. "I'm at a loss as to what brought this new plan forward. Can someone explain it to me?" "The majority of consensus at the last meet- :-.. mno fnr thp nrnf,,~sional buildinl!: to be uo front, but that the apartment building needed to be moved back from Roselawn Avenue," added Marlene Struwe, president of the town- home association. "With the new plan we're fO.t'ied to look at a parking. lot., I hope you approve the Phinning Commission's recommen- dation and not implement the new changes." One resident went even further, asking the council to reconsider allowing any of the pro- posals to move forward. "I have a real conflict of interest on this issue," said Roseville resident Dick Houck. "On the one hand, I really would like to see this par- cel redeveloped. It's been an eyesore long enough. However, this proposal is way too much building for that piece of property. There is nothing this huge anywhere in the area, with the exception of one other commercial property that never should have been approved in the ....~_ n.lft __ rI___ I"")