09-01-1999 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View Planning Commission September 1, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 11 • stated the City Forester indicated this proposal would be beneficial, in light of the oak trees in the area. He stated he had taken down ten trees during the last seven months due to oak wilt disease, and the City Forester has recommended they plant other species of trees, which are conducive to growing in the shade, and are not susceptible to the diseases present in the area. He stated there was one large tree in the area that they might be able to work around, and they were willing to do that. He stated the landscaping buffer begins approximately six to eight feet from the rear of the buildings, and they were not proposing to remove any landscape of consequence in that area. Mr. Smith stated Council Member Marty had referred to industrial type air conditioners, however, they would be utilizing residential air conditioning units. He indicated the size of the building was 10,000 square feet, and the number of units required would depend upon the number of tenants occupying the building. Mr. Smith stated they desired as much space in the back of the building as possible, as this sells space. He stated the fence would only be moved behind the buildings, and the fence on the sides of the buildings would remain the same. Mr. Smith stated they had done everything they said they would do, in regard to this project, on time, if not ahead of time. He stated they had gone to great expense to perform traffic studies. He stated • there had been much discussion regarding the potential excessive traffic in the neighborhood, pedestrian traffic over yards, and the strewing of trash throughout the area. He stated the people in the neighborhood he had spoken with indicated a positive reaction to the development, and that these situations have not occurred. Mr. Smith stated the intersection at Highway 10 is not yet completed. He stated the contractor has indicated the intersection would be operational the following day, to accommodate the traffic traveling along Highway 10, to the intersection, and he believed this would further reduce the traffic. Mr. Smith stated the architect had not had the fence in mind when he designed the building. He stated he had attempted to find the best way to rectify the situation. He stated they had not requested back to request a change, and it was due to a mistake he had made. He stated he did not want to give in to an atmosphere of fear, regarding what may happen in the future. He stated this was his reason he went to the neighbors to discuss the situation. Mr. Smith stated he had attempted to contact Council Member Thomason. He stated Council Member Thomason had indicated that she was very opposed to the petition. He stated this was simply his attempt to show the Commission that there were people who were satisfied with the manner in which the project was proceeding. He stated he had not twisted anyone's arm. He stated the Commission may desire to take another survey, and that would be fine. He reiterated that he was simply attempting to be proactive.