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• • • Planning & Zoning Board November 12, 2003 Page 5 meet with the neighbors over the past few months. She stated they hoped to start construction this spring and the construction would last 16 -18 months. She stated the easements, stormwater management, roadways, etc. were doable and agreeable to applicant. They were agreeable to adding additional screening also. They were agreeable to traffic control during peak times. She assured them the Conservation Easement was being pursued and the church was working with Anoka County Parks and Rice Creek Watershed District on it. She indicated the church was willing to split the property where the house was located off from the rest of the property. She stated they were working with Anoka County on the roadway. She noted traffic was the most challenging issue, but it was a regional issue that this project alone would not cause. She indicated the church was willing to work with traffic control officers to alleviate the congestion. She stated the proposed turn lanes would also assist with traffic congestion. Mr. Rafferty asked if the existing home was where the previous owner of the land lived. Ms. Leonidas replied that was correct. She indicated the Church was agreeable to increasing landscaping along certain areas of the site, which had been a concern to some of the residents. She noted they would put in a berm along the south side for further screening for the residents to the south. Mr. Rafferty asked the footprint of the proposed church. Ms. Leonidas replied it was 250 x 350. Mr. Corson asked what was the situation with the existing home. Ms. Leonidas replied that under an agreement, the former owner could stay there for a specific period of time from the date of purchase, which was last July, but at this point, they had no plans for the building. Chair Schaps invited the public to make comment. Barbara Bor, 7707 20th Avenue North, stated she lived to the south of the property and her driveway was adjacent to the proposed Churches driveway. She presented a petition signed by 160 neighbors within one mile of the property who were opposing this development. She stated they did not go into Centerville or Columbus Township, even though many residents wanted to sign the petition. She stated this petition represented 95% of the neighborhood and this was a significant unified indication in opposition of this. She presented a letter from RLK regarding traffic and a letter from attorney Paul R. Haik. Both letters and petition were given to staff to be made a part of the City's file. She stated they wanted to see the numbers of services and hours of operation the Church was proposing. She noted the current traffic study was done over a year ago and conditions had changed. She also indicated the traffic study was done for Sunday services only and did not include Saturday or Wednesday night services. She requested the City require updated traffic information based on current data. She expressed concern about the stormwater management plan. She noted this was a critical project for this area and it would forever change what was currently there. She asked as a neighborhood, from an environmental perspective, and for their heritage that this project not be approved. DRAFT MINUTES