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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />APRIL 14, 2022 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />4 <br />Steve Allen, Twin Lake Boulevard, stated that it sounds like even though this is not a done deal, <br />it is leaning towards approval. He noted that most residents probably did not make it to the last <br />meeting because of the snowstorm. He asked if the City has already sold this land and why this <br />density is being considered. He stated that the residents like the neighborhood as it is and did not <br />see a reason to add this level of density. <br /> <br />The Community Development Director replied that the property is under contract but has not yet <br />been sold. She stated that the City Council would have the ultimate say on this project. <br /> <br />Chair Kwapick stated that the Commission is listening to the comments from the residents and <br />will make a recommendation to the City Council based on the balance of concerns and <br />residential needs of the city. <br /> <br />Mr. Allen commented that he owns a business in Minneapolis and there were many high-density <br />apartments constructed around his business. He noted that each of those developers stated that <br />they had enough parking on premises, but people fill up on the on-street parking. <br /> <br />122 Twin Lake Boulevard, shared the concerns of the previous speakers. He stated that they <br />purchased their home because it is a quiet neighborhood but adding this number of people to the <br />site would create noise and parking concerns. He also asked where the children that live in the <br />buildings would play. He did not see a reason to remove the woods to create apartments. <br /> <br />Bob Libal, 124 Twin Lake Boulevard, commented that the Comprehensive Plan was just updated <br />and showed this property as medium density. He did not believe the site should be changed to <br />high density as there is no high-density housing in that area. He stated that this development <br />would add a lot more people and hardcover to the site, draining water into the lake that already <br />has too much water and issues with flooding. He stated that the meeting in December happened <br />quickly and did not give residents time to respond. He asked the Commission not to support this <br />request. <br /> <br />Mr. Allen asked the incomes of those that would be living in the apartments, whether it would be <br />marketed to low-income individuals. <br /> <br />Mr. Keenan commented that currently the units are designated to those making 60 percent or less <br />of the area median income (AMI), which would be slightly less than market rate apartments. He <br />stated that the residents will need to work and have jobs, and this will not be subsidized or <br />section 8 housing. He noted that residents would have to show sufficient income to support the <br />rent. <br /> <br />Another resident stated that her husband used to work at the Vadnais Heights Fire Station <br />expressed additional concerns with drainage and water quality. She asked that those be serious <br />considerations because of the already existing issues with water. She noted that the trailer park <br />is built in a low area and experiences flooding each spring.