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ro OP HAT-AN MPLE p VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION IN MINNESOTA ' 475 Minnesota Avenue, Roseville, Minnesota �,pj► Mailing address: P.O. Box 13682-Market Place, Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: (612) 482-7990 STATE-2-Mi ]T The area between County Road B-2 and Highway 36, east of `Dale in Roseville is exceptional in several imcortant respects. one of its most interesting characteristics is the presence of the Vietnamese Buddhist Te-:Ple of 'Iinnesota, the only one of its kind in Minnesota, 'Wisconsin, Iava, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This particular location was chosen by the Vietn&Tese because it reminded them of the temales in their ho-meland which have a low orofile and blend into the natural environment. The site would not have been acceptable had there. been large buildings adjacent to the temple structure. The area is also exceptional in its social chracteristics. The surrounding community has maintained ,a cordial and harmonious relationship with the culturally -distinct Vietnamese. one reason this has been possible is due to their shared appreciation for the natural environment. Roseville should be proud that this relationship exists within its city limits. There are few such examples in the country. Unfortunately, the ?proposed development will change the natural and social characteristics of the area, adding large three-story, high -density apartment buildings with 276 units, serving a transient population. This proposal is contrary. to Roseville's ain "•9aster elan which recommends low density housing for the area and is opposed by the vast majority of residents in the community. We are confident that the planning commission and the city council will recognize the uniqueness of this area and realize that a carefully -considered comoromise is desirable. At a mini:um we would suggest two modifications in the current olan. First the park -like atmsphere of the area should be preserved, in particular by the addition of a park or garden strip between the existing temple structure and the proposed development. Secondly, the development should be redesigned to blend in harmoniously with the existing lam -density housing. We trust, that the cormlision and council realize that a co,rtrnuzity is not just bricks and mortar or the sum of its economic invest-.ents; ultimately it is a unique and often fragile integration of the social and natural environments.