Minutes - 2018/01/08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 8, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 5 Jodi Hemingson, 5671 Quincy Street - Apartment #1, understood there were concerns regarding gun clubs. However, she believed that the comments made this evening were addressing worst case scenarios. She stated a gun club did not have to be in Mounds View to have a drive by with an automatic weapon. She explained this person would not be buying an automatic weapon at a local gun club. She reported she lived in North Minneapolis for 25 years and moved to Robbinsdale and then Mounds View. She discussed her experience of living in Robbinsdale near a Bill’s Gun Club stating residents did not see people running around with uncased guns in the parking lot. She indicated there were rules, both City and State that would have to be followed, along with a code of ethics by the people visiting the gun club. Mary Scotch, 7806 Gloria Circle, stated she was not aware of the firing range and gun club that was being proposed until just recently. She commented that a lot of citizens do not go home to investigate the happenings in their City. She encouraged the Council to provide residents with more information regarding the proposed development. She explained her main concern was with the City’s infrastructure and noted she opposed the gun club. She noted her mother lived at Bel Ray, which was very close to the subject property. She encouraged the Council to pursue something more valuable at this intersection. Jeff Moritko, 2400 Mounds View Boulevard, stated he owns Moe’s Restaurant. He explained he supported the proposed development noting it was more than just a gun club. He feared the residents speaking tonight were throwing out the baby with the bath water. He understood that Mounds View was pro-business and was pursuing a project that worked for the City. He encouraged the residents of Mounds View to conduct research on gun clubs and Heartland. He indicated he visited both the Chanhassen and Osseo Gun Clubs. He stated in each visit he never saw an uncased gun or heard any noise. He believed the developers were proposing a respectful operation that would benefit the community. He discussed how the new market rate apartments would benefit Mounds View and his business. He indicated the proposed project was fully funded and was not requesting any TIF. This was a huge plus for the City. It was his opinion the City would benefit by the proposed development and he believed the two developers were stand up individuals. Steve Chambers, 2957 Sherwood Place, commented he grew up on a farm in Iowa and noted a highly regarded gun club was near his home. He stated 30 years ago an individual visited this gun club in Iowa high on drugs and a terrible shooting with fatalities occurred. He feared that the same type of event could occur in Mounds View. He explained he and his wife moved to Mounds View 40 years ago because it was a safe community. He stated in all the conversations he has had with members of the community, there has been very little support. He urged the City Council not to locate a gun club in the midst of the City. Scott Schrader, 2566 Hillview, stated his understanding was the developer was proposing apartments and a gun club with light retail as two separate phases of the project. He suggested Phase I of the project move forward with the apartments and that further consideration be made for the gun range and light retail. He encouraged the City Council to do the right thing on behalf of the entire community and only allow the apartments at this time.