04-27-2022 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 27, 2022 that "no conflicts comment" letters were received from Vadnais Heights, Shoreview, and Ramsey County, 9 agencies didn't respond, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) submitted a comment letter advising that a drainage permit would be required for the project. She noted that she had a conversation with Tim Wold, the Assistant Superintendent from White Bear Lake Schools, and they had no concerns about this project. The Community Development Director reviewed the housing chapter in the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan: Our Housing Strategy is to achieve new housing through redevelopment of certain sites from lower -density to achieve infill on open parcels. Infill and redevelopment are guided toward middle and higher density housing types. Projected growth for developed communities is anticipated to occur through reinvestment at higher development densities. The City's land use policies and strategies reflect this regional strategy. Through 2040, the Plan states that 158 acres or 6% of the city's land use will be utilized for higher density residential. The private market is expected to respond to -the -need for additional housing by -making -good -use of available properties. The - Metropolitan Council has asked Little Canada to accommodate 72 more units of affordable housing at varying Area Median Income levels between years 2021 and 2030. The Community Development Director listed some of the concerns that she has heard from direct comments and at the neighborhood meeting: traffic, increase of vehicles, pedestrian safety, preserving natural areas, play space for kids, road improvements, trail improvements, parking on the site and underground, lack of sidewalks, exterior building materials, stormwater and the number of units. Gunar Bruvelis, 3248 Twin Lake Road, stated his concern is there will be 120 units and the water pollution, and 126 parking spaces is not enough, and traffic will be bad. He is totally against this project and it should be left as natural as possible. Dan Leibel, 105 Twin Lake Boulevard, stated he has lived in this neighborhood his whole life. He does not feel there is enough parking capacity and the site is not large enough and it will not fit. He stated that nobody wants this. Lorray Rolfer, 3290 Hamel Court, stated they did not receive the notice in December, and then received the notice for the April meeting three days before she was going to leave the country. She stated that she and her husband walked around and they have 70 signatures from people in their neighborhood that oppose this. She stated that is 70 people that do not want this, one that does and two are undecided. She stated this project is not offering the neighborhood anything, such as a restaurant like there is at the McMillian on Rice Street. She stated they are not opposed to development, but are opposed to that many people living there. She stated the green space is just fine as is. She is asking the Council to take a step back to have a collaboration to see what the neighborhood wants. Nicole Kaphing, 3245 Twin Lake Road, stated her mom lives in the row of trailers right behind the proposed building, and now the apartment building is being pushed back farther from the street. She asked if anybody thought about the people who live in the trailer park. She stated it does not belong there, and they love their neighborhood and want to keep it. 3