01-10-2002 Planning Comm. Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMM1SSiON JANUARY 10, 2002 Allan indicated that she had questioned the ability to develop 18 single- family homes on this property as was previously proposed, and felt this proposal was even more questionable. Allan pointed out that the property owners in the area put up with Mr. Palmen's Mid Oaks Development, but will not put up with this development. She noted that water will go where it wants to go. She questioned what will happen with the additional run- offthat the road and roofs would generate. Allan also questioned why the development was being proposed in the winter when the DNR cannot get into the property and do a plant and wildlife survey. Allan indicated that there is a civet cat living in this area, which is on the endangered species list. Allan expressed concern that the people who would be living in this new development will not be able to get out onto McMenemy Road because of the traffic and the blind corner at Viking Drive. Allan also questioned the impact of this development on Gervais' water quality. Linda O'Comior, McMenemy Road, reported that she purchased her house from Ron Palmer. At the time she was informed that a road may be put behind her to develop one additional single-family home. O'Connor indicated that she opposed the rezoning and felt that the trees and wildlife must be protected. She noted that this area is very near Highway 36 and felt that an additional road and the amount of development proposed, would destroy the area. Clifford Hill, Edgerton Street, reported that the back of his property abuts the pond. He indicated that this area is a wetland and a marsh and helps to clean the run-off that flows into Lake Gervais. Hill stated that this is open space and about 30 years ago the County had talked about acquiring the property. HiII felt that the area should be preserved as open space and as a wildlife sanctuary. Paul Kuhnmuench, Sunrise Drive, pointed out that Gordie Howe had proposed the development of townhomes where Sunset Court now exists. This development never happened. Kuhnmuench reported that if the City rezones the property to R-2 there are no guarantees on the value of the units, and I{uhnmuench believed the result would be subsidized housing. Kuhnmuench stated that he would be happy to go in with other property owners in the area to purchase this land. A member of the audience asked why the City does not purchase the property. G