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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, March 03, 2010 Page 5 200 this site would be ideal for this use, concurring with those reasons as previously stated; 201 and would benefit and be complementary to other property owners in the area. Mr. 202 LeFavre advised that, at the recent open house, no one attended from surrounding 203 businesses, leading them to believe there were no objections. Mr. LeFavre reviewed 204 current development and redevelopment trends, opining that the pattern of mixed use in 205 such commercial areas would continue. 206 Ron Wong 207 Mr. Wong concluded by reviewing the T4C’s perspective on serving the community; their 208 support for networking within the community and serving at-risk youth; their involvement 209 in the Roseville Rock Youth Center and other family support organizations; their pastoral 210 staff’s involvement with other pastors within the community; and their partnerships with 211 Hmong service organizations in the metropolitan area; as well as their support of civic 212 events in the area. Mr. Wong estimated that nine percent (9%) of their congregation is 213 from Roseville, with the remainder from the Twin Cities regional area. Mr. Wong noted 214 that the T4C is a vibrant, growing church actively investing in children and families, and 215 would have a positive impact on the community; and respectfully requested approval of 216 their application. 217 Commissioner Wozniak opined that this location seemed isolated from the remainder of 218 the community with no nearby residents, if their intent is to be significantly involved in the 219 community; and questioned how people would observe their location in such an industrial 220 area. 221 Mr. Wong advised that the nature of their church is that they are a regional church, and 222 the regional geographic location for the congregation is more important with this site 223 fitting that need in the center of the Twin Cities area, located off major thorough-fares 224 near I-35W, compared with their present location isolated in a neighborhood with no 225 regional visibility. Mr. Wong noted that their church has a connection to and ministry for U 226 of MN students, with a student bus service provided several times on Sunday, with other 227 transportation options also available to the site. 228 Public Comment 229 Chair Doherty closed the Public Hearing at 8:08 p.m., with no one appearing for or 230 against. 231 Commissioner Boerigter noted that this was a difficult decision for him, as in analyzing 232 other uses in permitted in a B-3 District, how was a church use any different, when the 233 district allowed for private cultural institutions and, given the potential negative impacts of 234 a regional church in a residential neighborhood, this zoning district would seem to have 235 less impact on the community. Commissioner Boerigter questioned where else this use 236 could be directed in the community; questioning if the Guthrie Theater was interested in 237 locating in that area, what would the City’s response be. Commissioner Boerigter 238 suggested that it seemed to come down to a tax exempt issue, and questioned further if 239 such a use should be discouraged. 240 Chair Doherty concurred that this was a very complicated issue and not an easy decision 241 to make in basically approving a church use of this property. Chair Doherty referenced 242 the Imagine Roseville 2025 community visioning process, and the many diversity issues 243 brought forward; the need for additional community spaces; and a need for organizations 244 that serve the needs of the community. Chair Doherty opined that T4C would be an asset 245 to the community. While recognizing the need to enhance property tax revenues, Chair 246 Doherty opined that this proposal may reduce tax revenues, but it brought other positive 247 things to the table, noting the changing face of the community with an increase in then 248 number of Asian residents in the community compared to ten (10) years ago and 249 suggested that this might fit very well for accommodating this sort of arrangement or 250 facility. Chair Doherty noted that he is not a proponent of spot zoning, and that was his 251 only concern with this approval, further noting that he wouldn’t advocate changing all B-3 252 Zoning Districts to include such a use, but would support this request.