2025-09-02_PR_Comm_Min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Penny asked about existing encroachments and how they would be addressed. Staff explained that, under City policy, homeowners are responsible for removing encroachments at their own expense. The Commission also discussed potential concerns related to the site’s trees, particularly the oak and box elder species. J. Reinart, 1667 Ridgewood J. Reinart, 1667 Ridgewood, spoke in strong support of saving the path. He noted that he does not have a preference for the type of trail surface but emphasized the importance of maintaining the connection. He shared that his own use of nearby walking paths has decreased and expressed concern that removing this path would be a disservice to the broader Roseville community. Noting that the path connects the neighborhood to key city amenities, including parks, trails, and the local school. He reaffirmed that retaining the pathway is in the best interest of the City and that the trees along the ROW can be protected while preserving access. A. Lottie, 90 Mid Oaks Ln. A. Lottie, 90 Mid Oaks Lane, shared her support for retaining the path. She explained that she previously lived on the ROW, moved away, and later returned to the neighborhood nearby because her family missed Roseville and the community. She emphasized that this is not about creating a new path but about improving an existing one that already serves as a quiet, shared space connecting neighbors. Ms. Lottie noted that the path provided her children with a safe, more direct route to Brimhall School, which they could take independently because they knew the neighbors along the ROW. While other routes exist, they are farther and less safe, as they require crossing Roselawn Avenue or walking along the Snelling Avenue frontage road, which is both busy and in poor condition. She expressed appreciation for the City’s efforts to study the land carefully and to prioritize tree protection. Her hope is that some form of the longstanding neighborhood path can be retained, as it is important not only to current residents but also to future neighbors. With the school year beginning, she reiterated how much her family misses the path, as her children especially prefer walking to school, rather than riding the bus, even during the winter months. S. Quinn, 89 Mid Oak S. Quinn, 89 Mid Oaks Lane, spoke in opposition to converting the ROW into a park. She stated that her home abuts the property and that she did not purchase her home with the expectation of living next to a park, noting that she likely would not have purchased it had that been the case. Ms. Quinn expressed disappointment that the Commission packet did not address how converting the ROW to a public park would impact surrounding neighbors. She emphasized that 21 residents (soon to be 24) live in adjacent homes, and their loss of privacy was not highlighted. She further raised concerns about long-term tree damage, noting that the driplines of many mature trees extend beyond the proposed 30-foot path. She stated that no treatment could fully 5