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COUNCIL MINUTES November 22, 2010 APPROVED 181 kids. She understands that the Planning &Zoning Board recognized that this isn't a zoning matter L/182 but rather a noise issue; she has reviewed the city's noise regulations and is complying. 183 184 Noel Foster, son of property owner Char Foster, addressed the council. He explained that he's been 185 riding on the property for fifteen years or better. It is just he and two friends that use the track. They 186 keep their riding time at a minimum, do their best to follow the noise ordinance (noting that the 187 vehicles they use make less noise than a lawn mower), and have even built some noise mounds. He 188 knows that the city allows the use of snowmobiles throughout the city and asks why this would be 189 different. There is no financial benefit to the track—it is only used by family and two friends. 190 191 Bruce Papp, off Aspen Lane. He appreciates what the Foster's are trying to do as a family activity. 192 But there is another side. Sometimes when he is in his yard, the noise from the track is so loud that 193 he cannot carry on a conversation. He understands the desire to have fun but believes it cannot come 194 at the expense of others. They can even hear the noise when they shut their windows. 195 196 Mary Carlson Papp, off Aspen Lane. She has lived in the city for 15 years, and she is a school 197 educator and an active community member(having served on the city's Visioning Committee). She 198 doesn't believe that this type of activity(off road racing) is what people have in mind for the city. 199 She can see her quality of life slipping away because of this. 200 201 Amy Donlin, 6100 Centerville Road, remarked that this situation represents the reality of living in 202 Lino Lakes now and the impact of the continuing urbanization. For the people who have lived here '.03 40-50 years, like her family, they are seeing the rural nature of the area slip away and the city is 204 becoming urbanized. She sees both sides of this issue. 205 206 Planner Smyser responded on the concern about not being invited to the Planning&Zoning Board 207 meeting. He explained that the discussion at the meeting was informal, with no official decision 208 expected, not an untypical situation. Also,the matter before the Planning&Zoning Board (and the 209 council now) is not about a specific use but rather about a determination on a use in a zoning area. 210 211 The mayor noted that he's been in the city for 35 years and knows that there's been this type of riding 212 in quite a few areas. He's familiar with this property(lives less than a mile from it)and knows that 213 there have been motor bikes used there for a long time. When he thinks about why it's a problem 214 now more so than earlier years, he's seen in some of the complaints an indication of increased 215 activity? This really boils down to freedom for people to live next to each other in their own type of 216 peace. The council must deal with the question of what type of activity should be allowed in an R-1 217 district, normally a neighborhood situation. 218 219 Ms. Foster explained that the activity has changed somewhat because the track has been improved so 220 that young grandchildren(age 3) can ride on it. The track is used by her son, two friends and a few of 221 their young children and that's it. Sometimes there is walk-through traffic, such as area kids who 222 want to watch the activity. She added that the track is used even less than when her son was a 223 teenager(he's 28 now) because he can't take such long rides. She is tolerant to other noisy activities 224 going on around her and she is interested in receiving the same tolerance. 1 '25 5 •