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Planning & Zoning Board <br />July 13, 2005 <br />Page 8 <br />Mr. Hyden stated he was open- minded to this, but he saw a lot of work and hassle <br />converting the City to sidewalks and he would not want a sidewalk running through his <br />yard; he would like a wider street instead. He noted there would be a greater expense to <br />the City also and he agreed with some of Mr. Nelson's comments. Mr. Smyser noted <br />sidewalks would only be intended for new developments and not the existing <br />neighborhoods, and the issue they would need to deal with was the transitioning of the <br />new developments up to the existing developments. <br />Mr. Laden stated that public safety was one of the motivating factors for why they should <br />put in sidewalks. <br />Mr. Pogalz stated he saw both sides, but like Mr. Haden he was on the fence as to entirely <br />agreeing with this. He indicated he understood the public safety factor, but was <br />concerned about the cost and maintenance factors. He stated he grew up in a <br />neighborhood with sidewalks and generally they were unused. He believed sidewalks <br />were good safety measures, but would they be unused. <br />Chair Tralle asked if the Board wanted to pursue this, or did they want to table or drop it. <br />Mr. Laden stated as long as people were open minded, this should be pursued. <br />Mr. Hyden stated he would be in support of this if it was for commercial developments <br />only, but not residential areas. <br />Mr. Nelson stated personally he would not be interested in purchasing a home that had a <br />sidewalk in the front yard. <br />Mr. Pogalz stated there was a concern both ways and he believed this might have merit. <br />Chair Tralle stated he was interested in pursuing this for future developments. <br />Mr. Hyden stated if the reason they were going to put in sidewalks was to keep kids off <br />of the streets, he would not be interested in pursing this because kids would still play in <br />the streets. He noted the City had paths and trail ways for pedestrians, bikers, and <br />rollerblading. <br />Mr. Smyser stated he would look into some of the ideas presented tonight and bring this <br />back at the next meeting for further discussion and direction. <br />D. AUAR Update <br />Staff updated the Board on the AUAR. <br />E. Miscellaneous <br />Mr. Hyden stated he attended a League of Minnesota Cities seminar and noted that he <br />learned that when a Board member goes out to sites to look at the area, the League <br />suggested they not talk to the applicant as this might look as favoritism and if the Board <br />member wanted to talk to the applicant, they should do it at the Board meeting. He also <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br />• <br />• <br />