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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Page 8 zoning district which is supported by the Comprehensive Plan, staff had determined that the pawn shop would not have adverse impacts on the value of nearby properties. Commissioner Gottfried opined that his concern was because of the nature of the CUP, while recognizing that Mr. Smith’s business operations appeared to be beyond reproach and wasn’t concerned about a criminal element, and that the CUP followed the property, not the owner, and a different future owner may not be as desirable, but allowed to continue operating based on an approved use under the CUP. Chair Bakeman noted that each owner would have to go through the licensing and background investigation. Commissioner Gottfried recognized that part of the process; however, opined that he was concerned with what image the City wanted to create, and what it was trying to project. Commissioner Best opined that, as a recent new resident to Roseville, he couldn’t say that purchasing a home in a neighborhood with a pawn shop nearby would be desirable; but questioned the condition comparing this operation to Pawn America, since they were located in very different locations. Commissioner Best further opined that it appeared that many of the police calls to the Pawn America store were to retrieve merchandise, and not indicating loitering at surrounding areas. Commissioner Best recognized Commissioner Gottfried’s concern with the CUP following the property. Commissioner Wozniak addressed safety and security concerns expressed by neighbors during public comment, and recognized their concern about a liquor store and a pawn shop in the near vicinity. However, Commissioner Wozniak opined that, given this applicant’s experience and track record, this may be a beneficial catalyst for improvement in the neighborhood, with a more pronounced law enforcement presence due to the pawn shop. Commissioner Wozniak questioned why the Har Mar Apartment complex owners were not present during tonight’s hearing to express opposition, when they were putting several million dollars of improvements and new construction at their site; and suggested that this seemed to indicate that they apparently were not concerned with any increased crime from this proposal. Commissioner Wozniak suggested that the City’s Community Affairs Officers reach out to this neighborhood to encourage neighborhood organization for crime prevention. Community Development Director Trudgeon advised that he would alert the Police Department to this suggestion; specifically to the Department’s new Community Relations Coordinator Sarah Mahmud, who works with those types of neighborhood watch groups. Commissioner Gottfried opined that, while no representatives or tenants from the Har Mar Apartments were present to speak, residents from Rosewood Village were present, and they also had an investment in their condominiums, which were adjacent to the proposed project. Commissioner Wozniak noted Commissioner Gottfried’s comments; however noted the amount of information he’d learned about the pawn shop business over the last week, and at tonight’s meeting, and opined that the more he learned, the more comfortable he was with this proposed use, noting the number of restrictions and regulations. Commissioner Boerigter concurred with Commissioner Doherty’s original perception of the CUP, anticipating little enthusiasm for a pawn shop; however, after learning more about the business and regulations, in addition to the positive working relationship with law enforcement, he spoke in support of the project. Commissioner Boerigter reviewed the concerns expressed during public comment (i.e., crime and traffic), but clarified that tonight’s discussion and consideration was for the pawn shop use. Commissioner Boerigter noted that many comments were made about traffic and the apartment complex, not about the pawn shop use, and opined that there were other uses allowable in this zoning district under a CUP that would create more traffic, and further opined that the pawn shop would not significantly impact traffic. Related to crime concerns, Commissioner Boerigter noted the testimony of Lt. Rosand that no additional crime was