04-12-2012 Planning Comm. Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 12, 2012 Rath reported that Dynamic Connections has no set schedule for when clients come to and leave the facility. Traffic to the business is sporadic over the course of the day, and there are typically 4 to 5 cars parked at the facility at the most. Knudsen indicated that the concern is for the safety of children when vans are corning in and out of the property. Rath pointed out that employees of the adult day care center will be driving the vans and they will be aware of the Dynamic Connections operation. Rath also pointed out that parents accompany their children to the Dynamic Connections facility. Duray asked if the Hmong MN Senior Center would be leasing their space. Rath reported that the proposal is that they will buy the building so that they have the potential to expand into the entire property at some point in the future. Hmong MN will own the building and become the landlord to Dynamic Connections and Temo Sunrooms. Knudsen asked how many clients the adult day care would serve. Mr. Ying, Director of Hmong MN Senior Center, reported that the adult day center in the Maplewood Business Center I is full, serves 30 clients, has no room to expand, and there are 20 people on the waiting list. Ying reported that the Center wishes to buy the building at 2905 Country Drive to have room for expansion to serve more people and to create employment. They have a ratio of 8 clients to 1 employee. The majority of the operation is inside. The client base comes from Maplewood, Little Canada, Lino Lakes, Blaine, and White Bear Lake. Ying reported that the program prevents its clients from becoming isolated from the larger community. Ying indicated that these clients live with their families, and when family members leave for work or school each morning, these people would be alone all day if not for the center. Gab reported that the Hmong MN Senior Center currently serves 88 clients, with locations in Maplewood and in St Paul. The Country Drive site will have the capacity to serve 100 clients. Knudsen asked if the clients were ambulatory. Gab replied that they are. He indicated that the clients are normal folks who want to socialize and do not want to be in isolation. He also indicated that the center provides meals, ensures that clients take their medications and go to their doctor appointments. The focus is to keep these people at home and out of nursing homes. Duray asked the hours of operation. Gab replied that the center will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Duray asked if the center only serves the elderly. Gab replied that their license allows -4-