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

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Council Minutes -4- July 8, 2024 Mr. Walter stated that further on the agenda is the receipt of the three -development related petitions that were supported by the Love Lino Lakes group. He stated that they hosted a community event where 1,200 meals served and 1,000 people signed the petitions to slow the growth of residential development, against division and segregation, and against shady developers. Mr. Walter stated the Love Lino Lakes group wants to revisit the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. They don't want multi -story residential development outside of downtown. They want commercial development to be expanded on the existing corridors, not on new sites. They want the largest possible lots. They want to slow pace and density. Salat Tuke, 14171 Drake Street NW, Andover, expressed his support for the Madinah Lakes project. He stated that building a mosque anywhere should be allowed. Just like the way we allow churches to be built. He said that a mosque is a community center that helps, not just Muslim but almost everyone. So, he is here to support the construction of the mosque and the proposed housing. He said that regarding multi -family house, that type of housing is a home and the families that live in those homes are like anyone else. Mr. Tuke asked that the City Council be fair in making their decision. He stated that they have been coming here since approximately March of this year, and as of now they know exactly where the City Council stands, especially after the Work Session last week, and he doesn't think the Council will ever change its mind. He stated that he is just wondering, with this moratorium likely to pass, what is going to happen next year (2025) when the moratorium expires? What excuse going to be given again. It seemed that by delaying the decision the hope is for the project not to be constructed. He stated that these kinds of barriers, if we let them go today, next time, his kids or himself will not be allowed to sit on these chairs or use the same restroom, because there's an excuse. He asked if you don't resist this behavior, what will happen next? Solomon Adams, Deputy Executive Director of the Council on American -Islamic Relations (CAIR), Minnesota, 2511 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, referenced the City vision statement that he recently read and he asked what type of example we want to set with that vision, is it one that is truly inclusive and represents the welcoming nature that is this great State. Mr. Adams stated that if the proposed moratorium is passed, what happens ultimately, is a step by step plan that can be used by future cities to stifle progress and keep people and communities out. This moratorium is not needed and has caused immense division, not only in the city, but across the state. He referenced the discussion around the development plans and future planning. He stated that if the project was perfectly planned, there would be another reason to stand away from this plan. It's not that it's not now, rather it's that it is not ever. If these meetings show anything, is that the Minnesota Muslim community and its allies don't see home as the borders created around them rather that that the entire state is our home. We all call Minnesota home. All of us are Minnesotans as much as anyone else. And if we're talking about dedication, the dedication of driving across the state week after week is a testament to that. Basheer Muhammad, 12724, Lady Street NE, Blaine, stated that it's amazing to see how many people showed up today. He asked where they were when the plan was being presented to Planning Board and Environmental Board no one showed up to those meetings because they were probably asked not to come. He stated that the people who are leading the charge against this project did not want them to know how good of a project it is. He said those that say they like their city, space and surroundings as they are, should realize that the population of the city cannot stay the same from birth to death. That the population is growing all over the world. He said that you own your house, not the whole city.