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Regular Planning Commission Meeting
<br />Minutes – Wednesday, June 4, 2014
<br />Page 9
<br />traffic using the street as a cut-through, which was an existing issue as well, but the
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<br />addition of 3-4 additional homes would not create any great fluctuation based on
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<br />averages. Mr. Culver noted that while there were exceptions, it was surprising how
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<br />consistent reality was with those models used for traffic studies.
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<br />At the request of Member Murphy, Mr. Culver confirmed that no flags had been raised
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<br />related to additional traffic; with collector streets typically having 1500 vehicles or more
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<br />per day; and anything below that was considered to be not problematic.
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<br />At the request of Member Murphy, who opined that traffic counts on County Road B had
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<br />significantly changed before and after the I-35W bridge collapse; Mr. Culver concurred,
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<br />further noting that, with discussions related to the County Road B Pathway installation
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<br />later this summer, a dramatic drop in traffic volumes was noted, with his recollection of
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<br />current volumes around the 2,000 range.
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<br />Specific to home values, Mr. Cheney noted that at the open house held by Mr. Mueller,
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<br />Mr. Mueller indicated that the lots would sell for about $350,000 or more each; and
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<br />questioned if that was still accurate.
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<br />Off microphone from the audience, Mr. Mueller questioned the validity of that statement
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<br />and/or understanding.
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<br />Mr. Cheney opined that $250,000 was the maximum anyone had ever received before
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<br />the real estate bubble collapsed; and if the basis for this development was based on
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<br />those kinds of numbers, he questioned what would happen if they were not achievable
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<br />and what would happen to the subdivision; or if the lots were completed, the ponds
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<br />installed, but no houses built, or the development essentially bankrupted. If the property
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<br />potentially went into bankruptcy, or was sold to the lowest bidder, Mr. Cheney opined that
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<br />it would not be good for the neighborhood. Mr. Cheney referenced a home that recently
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<br />sold on the corner across from his property that was purchased for $250,000, even
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<br />though it was put on the market at $800,000 before the crash. Mr. Cheney questioned if
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<br />the neighborhood could support $1 million houses in general, other than one rather
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<br />exceptional one, but expressed concern if the Planning Commission granted approval
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<br />and while everyone remained well-intentioned to build up the City’s tax base and build
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<br />houses, if it didn’t work, who would be left with the debt, not the City or Commission, but
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<br />the neighborhood. Mr. Cheney asked that the Commission take that into consideration,
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<br />as the financial aspect of the project is important.
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<br />Member Daire advised that this was his rationale in asking about price points, but noted
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<br />that he had heard that they would be offered at as much or more than current properties.
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<br />Chair Gisselquist clarified that the land owner assumes the risk; and noted that, there
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<br />were several instances around the community for subdivisions and infill development,
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<br />which had all seemed quite successful. While no one essentially knew what was going to
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<br />happen, and life was risky, Chair Gisselquist opined that from the Planning Commission’s
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<br />point of view, they were looking at the plat, not financial aspects and economy, which
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<br />was outside their realm. However, Chair Gisselquist opined, from his perspective, it may
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<br />prove to be a successful endeavor.
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<br />Mr. Cheney noted that, as always, he wished everyone well in their endeavors.
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<br />Nicholas Amlie, 2265 Acorn Road
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<br />Mr. Amlie noted the severe drainage problems in this area, and opined that he was very
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<br />skeptical as to the engineer’s assessment as to how drainage problems will be alleviated.
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<br />In his conversation with Mr. Lloyd earlier today, Mr. Amlie advised that he had asked
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<br />about the metrics of the proposed drainage alleviation, opining that if they were the same
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<br />ones who had approved the drainage situation for his home. Mr. Amlie advised that it was
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<br />going to cost him thousands of dollars or more to fix it due to the thick clay soil, and water
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<br />not assimilating. Mr. Amlie noted that he had seen Planning Commissioners driving
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<br />through the neighborhood, and asked that they do so after a significant rain to observe
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<br />the stream of drainage going through his property. While it may not have anything to do
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