pm_020409 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, February 04, 2009 Page 8 Fred Christianson, 2220 Midland Grove 337 Mr. Christianson qualified his comments based on his expertise as a retired architect and 338 planner, with his emphasis on safety, health and welfare of the public and people. 339 Mr. Christianson concurred with the comments and concerns regarding traffic issues; his 340 observation of accidents or near accidents, specifically with semi-trucks. Mr. Christianson 341 also addressed the height of the building, opining that the building was actually five (5) 342 stories based on the grading of the site. Mr. Christianson expressed his astonishment 343 that staff had recommended approval, and opined that staff was obviously not in the 344 business of protecting the public. Mr. Christianson sited another bad planning example at 345 Larpenteur Avenue as you walked east from Snelling; and the poor planning of such 346 zoning and land uses. Mr. Christianson suggested that staff look into a well-planned 347 municipality, Columbia, Maryland, as an example. Mr. Christianson opined that what had 348 been presented as an improvement for Roseville was not. 349 Cynthia Albing, 2020 W County Road B (across street from this proposed senior 350 housing) 351 Ms. Albing advised that she had lived at County Road B since 1985, and throughout that 352 time, traffic has been difficult, making it nearly impossible to walk across the street due to 353 excessive traffic speeds; and noted that due to a slight rise, making a left turn from her 354 driveway onto County Road B was difficult and dangerous. Ms. Albing noted that there 355 were a number of trucks from Target, making u-turns in front of their house, and opined 356 that she couldn’t imagine even more traffic, based on current safety issues. Ms. Albing 357 noted the beautiful Oak trees on the parcel, and the irony of calling the proposed project 358 an “orchard” when the very size and scope of the project was overwhelming and too large 359 for that piece of property. 360 Anita Huseby, 2220 Midland Grove Road 361 Ms. Huseby asked that, in the current economic environment, Mr. Mueller discuss 362 financing for the project; opinion that the neighborhood would then have an idea as to 363 whether this project would actually come to fruition. Ms. Huseby cited the recent failure of 364 the Edina housing project and impacts to those left to cope, opining that this was a real 365 concern for the neighbors who would be impacted most by this proposed project. 366 Carl Albing, 2020 West County Road B (across street from proposed development) 367 Mr. Albing shared the concerns expressed by others tonight; and asked the criteria in 368 changing land use designations. Mr. Albing noted that, when his family had purchased 369 their house years ago, they were assured that the Apple Orchard property was designated 370 single-family, with surrounding properties being low-density. Mr. Albing advised that, even 371 with the busy-ness of County Road B, his family has enjoyed the park-like setting; and he 372 expressed concern that this would change, given their long-term investment in the 373 community, based on previous land use designations. Mr. Albing questioned how those 374 land use designations could be arbitrarily changed, while recognizing that the City 375 continued to grow and change, and adjustments were necessary; however, expressed his 376 hesitation to lose the single-family residential character of the neighborhood. 377 Bruce Abrahamson, 2171 Ferris Lane, Ferriswood Condo Association, Board 378 Representative 379 Mr. Abrahamson advised that the Association had concerns relative to this project; noting 380 that those concerns were redundant to the project and several letters from residents on 381 file from the association, e-mailed, or mailed previously. Mr. Abrahamson advised that the 382 Association supported those voiced and written reservations. Mr. Abrahamson further 383 noted that the proposed setback from the property line of this project and the north end of 384 the Midland Grove property was actually thirty feet (30’) from their property, rather than 385 listed on the site plan as 180’; and would be 30’ from 2179 Ferris Lane, building to 386 building. Mr. Abrahamson advised that, relative to whether the Midland Grove 387 Homeowners Association approval, they would no support the project; opining that it 388