08-26-2024 City Council Agenda Packet (2)

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Council Minutes -2- July 8, 2024 Dr. Shire stated that as he was going through the agenda for this evening, he could see some petitions were being considered. He stated that while the petitioners can submit whatever requests they would like, however, he would ask that whatever comes before the City Council, that the Council please, respect the process, and be fair for everyone. Asad Zaman, 1608 Como Avenue, St. Paul, urged the City Council to vote no on the moratorium, because it is not needed. And the reasons that have been advanced for it will not sustain scrutiny, which is sure to follow after enactment of the moratorium. He stated that the drive for this moratorium has divided the community. We do not want history to record that the City of Lino Lakes was given an opportunity to grow and welcome people in and chose not to do so. He stated that hopefully when it's time for the hearing, we will give specifics about this moratorium and the questions that he asked last time that have not been answered. Chris Stowe, 426 Pine Street, Lino Lakes, stated that he tried to establish his credentials in water and wastewater management at the last meeting. He stated that everybody in the City Lino Lakes is now paying a stormwater utility fee. He stated that the stormwater system located off of his property and most of his neighbors runs through a ditch that currently floods the sod farms every time it rains. If you build that dirt up, it will back up in that canal and flood him and his neighbors out more. He noted that because the City listed it as a stormwater utility, the cost is not on the property taxes. He felt that was a poor way to keep property taxes under the 10% or whatever it is. Mr. Stowe state that he is in favor of the moratorium. He stated that too much growth too fast is very negative. He stated that if you look at what the City of Blaine is doing, their taxes are going up faster than ours. Look at what Columbus is doing their taxes are maintaining or even going down. He stated that the vast majority of people in Lino Lakes want the moratorium to go through. He pointed to the number of people in attendance this evening. He questioned the assignment of reserved seating for attendees at the meeting. Patty Miller, 476 Lois Lane, Lino Lakes, stated that she is in support of the moratorium to give the City time to create a plan for the development of both the north and south side of Main Street in the northwest quadrant. She stated that her biggest point is every well intended development has unintended consequences. The section of Lois Lane, between the park and the stop sign, at Maryland Drive probably looked great on paper with the intention of the design to slow traffic through the neighborhood. However, it is a problematic situation with tight curves, making navigating the road difficult with cars parked on one side, much less if cars are parked on both sides, and emergency vehicles could not pass through if cars were parked on both sides. On the south side of the park, which is adjacent to the curves in the road, there is no designated parking, a parking pad with at least 10 spaces would have been a great feature. She suggested that any park in a new development account for parking and access. She stated that there is a cost to rapid, poorly planned development and not all costly mistakes can be remedied. Far beyond a pretty picture on paper. We need to ensure the safety of our current residents and the impact of their lives. Let's do it right and have well planned developments, not just well intended developments. Sana Ahmed, 2 Island View Lane, North Oaks, strongly urged the City Council to vote against the moratorium. She stated that she could confidently say that the same individuals working and collaborating to move the Madinah Lakes project forward will bring forth a positive addition to the City of Lino lakes. Amina Ahmed, 2 Island View Lane, North Oaks, stated that she has lived in Minnesota since 1970. She chose to live in this beautiful area because she fell in love with all it offers. She stated that she strongly