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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, November 01, 2006 Page 15 Tam McGehee Ms. McGehee disagreed with Ms. Bloom, opining that “this is not her area of expertise,” and that numbers had been rated by engineers as to their level of permeability. Al Sands, 2612 Aldine Mr. Sands disputed the comments of Mr. Stark related to the Comprehensive Plan; expressed his disappointment that the new Community Development Director was going the route of the former Director; and opined that the Planning Commission ratified whatever the Community Development Department put in front of it, ultimately creating more problems for the City, and creating more dissent. Commissioner Doherty disputed Mr. Sands’ characterization of and injustice to the Commissioners; noting many times when denial has been a decision of the Commission, not in concurrence with staff recommendation. Carole Erickson, 2925 Mildred Drive Ms. Erickson noted her proximity to the proposed development site; spoke in support of the project; and encouraged Commissioners to approve and send the project forward, as a step to alleviating pollution around and into Langton Lake. Ms. Erickson opined that Fairview Avenue was actually a County arterial road meant to carry substantial traffic. Janet Jacobs, (northern 3064 Mildred Drive?) Ms. Jacobs expressed concern with traffic; and expounded on difficulties she already faces entering County Road D, the only access point from her property, during rush hours. Ms. Jacobs encouraged staff, the developer and Ramsey County to work toward solution of this “major, major, major” headache. Ms. Jacobs further noted that she had attended the open house, but couldn’t get an answer from anyone on future plans for big box retail, making her suspicious of the next phase. Ms. Jacobs opined her support of the plan as presented and the preservation of Langton Lake. Chair Traynor closed the Public Hearing at 11:03 p.m. Chair Traynor opined that this proposal and overall plan was much more desirable than the previous plan, with the more walkable, urban neighborhood design, housing and office mix, and anticipated improvements to Langton Lake. Chair Traynor referenced the staff report and conclusions outlined for the record as to the proposal’s consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, and the rationale of the analysis and conclusions. Commissioner Bakeman opined that change was hard, but also inevitable, and further opined that even without doing any type of project, traffic would continue to increase throughout the community due to the increased development of suburbs north of Roseville and people moving through the City to downtown St. Paul and/or Minneapolis. Commissioner Bakeman concurred with involving the state and county in getting a grasp on the ongoing traffic issues in the northern suburbs, and pooling of dollars to alleviate traffic congestion. Commissioner Bakeman opined that that a property owner had a right to develop their property in accordance with the City’s codes and guidelines of the Comprehensive Plan, and long-term development. Commissioner Bakeman further opined that the current proposal met those requirements. Commissioner Doherty noted that he had worked at two of the truck terminals forty (40) years ago, and the properties were in bad shape then and were worse now. Commissioner Doherty sympathized with the increasing traffic on Cleveland and Fairview Avenues, but noted that the majority of north/south thoroughfares within the community and other suburbs were facing similar congestion concerns, and would not diminish. Commissioner Doherty