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Regular Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, January 6, 2016 <br />Page 13 <br />whether they were owned, rented or otherwise occupied, further clarifying that this <br />614 <br />ownership was not something the City of Roseville could dictate, but could only make that <br />615 <br />determination based on the number of units to the size of the acreage. <br />616 <br />Mr. Ashton expressed his topographical concerns in removing more trees causing the <br />617 <br />residents at Midland Grove to look from their units directly onto traffic; and opined there <br />618 <br />was no way more sirens and lights wouldn’t be experienced than now. <br />619 <br />From an economical standpoint, Mr. Ashton predicted a more pronounced and genuine <br />620 <br />“community flight” threat if this facility is permitted for those older residents at Midland <br />621 <br />Grove without resolution other than to see their property value reduced. While younger <br />622 <br />people may have other options, Mr. Ashton stated that “90% of the residents don’t want <br />623 <br />this;” and noted the nice surroundings that had made Midland Grove a grove and fairly <br />624 <br />middle-class place to live, even though property values had recently reduced as their <br />625 <br />property had been made more barren. <br />626 <br />Specific to security concerns, while unable to prove statistically, Mr. Ashton questioned <br />627 <br />the accuracy of projected additional vehicles in and out onto County Road B and Midland <br />628 <br />Grove Road. As already spoken to by a previous speaker, Mr. Ashton noted children <br />629 <br />now living in their condominiums were at significantly higher danger; and noted there was <br />630 <br />no concept to determine who would be standing at those corners further endangering <br />631 <br />children. Even though Midland Grove was a senior facility in the past, Mr. Ashton noted <br />632 <br />there were now children involved crossing the streets, and any additional traffic would <br />633 <br />make it difficult for them to cross to the school bus stop. <br />634 <br />From an historical perspective, and while the developer shared pictures of other facilities <br />635 <br />similar to this proposed facility, Mr. Ashton stated the immediate neighbors have no <br />636 <br />concept of what happened in those communities, or any concept of the concerns and <br />637 <br />resulting development in those communities. Mr. Ashton noted that Midland Grove <br />638 <br />represented a more concentrated community and that while some of its residents could <br />639 <br />not be present tonight due to transportation and other issues, he felt he represented at <br />640 <br />least some of them; and questioned what residents in those other communities had said <br />641 <br />when those facilities moved into their neighborhoods. <br />642 <br />Mr. Ashton stated that he and some of his neighbors at Midland Grove had been <br />643 <br />threatened by others who tell them the Planning Commission has all power, and <br />644 <br />therefore noted his hesitation in coming before the body, having also been told he may as <br />645 <br />well not attend since the commission had all the power. If that is the case, Mr. Ashton <br />646 <br />questioned who put the commissioners in their seats, opining that was where the <br />647 <br />commission’s powers lie. Mr. Ashton stated that all residents in Roseville we’re part of a <br />648 <br />community, and stated if this facility comes in and his prediction of “community flight” <br />649 <br />happens, what will become of Midland Grove. Mr. Ashton stated he knew: values will <br />650 <br />decrease and if that happens directly north of this new facility, what would happen with it, <br />651 <br />and who would want to put their relative in a place with extremely low value. <br />652 <br />Mr. Ashton stated that the Midland Grove Association had worked hard at maintaining <br />653 <br />their property and advised he was proud to live there, one of the reasons he’d stayed for <br />654 <br />43 years, allowing him to travel for his career but have a home base residence that he <br />655 <br />could trust. If this new facility, as proposed, occurs, Mr. Ashton stated he was not sure <br />656 <br />he’d continue to maintain that trust, and in fact might be one involved in that “community <br />657 <br />flight.” <br />658 <br />In an effort to clarify for Mr. Ashton and other citizens concerned with the power of the <br />659 <br />Planning Commission, Chair Boguszewski clarified the mechanics of proceedings and <br />660 <br />land use decision-making process. Chair Boguszewski clarified that each commissioner <br />661 <br />was a volunteer citizen applying to the City Council to serve on this commission, and <br />662 <br />appointed by the City Council to serve a proscribed term. However, Chair Boguszewski <br />663 <br />clarified that the role of the commission was to make recommendation to the City Council <br />664 <br />and the authority ultimately rested with the City Council. If an individual commissioner <br />665 <br />chose to base their decisions on things thoughtless, inconsiderate or irrational and <br />666 <br /> <br />