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Mounds View Planning Commission January 3, 2018 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> <br />4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda <br /> <br />Bill Bergeron, 7729 Woodlawn Drive, addressed the Commission regarding the development of <br />Crossroad Pointe. He commented on the present plan for this site which included a gun club and <br />shooting range. He explained he was opposed to the gun club and shooting range based on <br />research he has conducted. He feared that neighboring properties would be adversely impacted <br />if a gun range were to locate on this property. In addition, he did not want this development to <br />become a Second Amendment issue. He stated he supported the City pursuing another <br />development for this site in order to keep property values stable. <br /> <br />Commissioner Klander thanked Council Member Bergeron for bringing his concerns to the <br />Commission. He explained he has visited other gun clubs in the metro area and indicated he <br />would keep these comments in mind when this development comes forward. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monn stated she attended the open house at the Mounds View Community Center <br />for this development. She explained she initially opposed the project, but after speaking with the <br />Police Chief she understood how the gun club would enhance training opportunities for the <br />Police Department. In addition, the proposed use would offer students an opportunity to practice <br />trap shooting. City Planner/Supervisor Sevald reported the applicant is proposing to construct a <br />full-service gun range, similar to a facility in Chanhassen. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monn questioned if other options had been considered for Crossroad Pointe. City <br />Planner/Supervisor Sevald discussed the three proposals that were submitted for this project. <br /> <br />Commissioner Klander stated the developer has made it clear from the start that the gun range <br />was not a deal breaker. He asked if this was still the case. City Planner/Supervisor Sevald <br />reported this was his understanding and noted the gun range could be removed and replaced with <br />a larger apartment complex. <br /> <br />The Commission requested staff research this item further and forward the findings onto the <br />Commission. <br /> <br />Commissioner Klander stated he was troubled by the fact the Police Chief supported the gun <br />range. He did not understand how bringing additional guns into the community would improve <br />community policing efforts. He requested staff speak with the Police Chief and for him to <br />explain to the Commission why a gun range would benefit the community and the Police <br />Department. <br /> <br />Acting Chair Klebsch supported this suggestion and stated she too would like to better <br />understand the cost/benefit analysis of having a gun range in the community. She explained she <br />had mixed feelings about this development and noted she was a gun owner. She did not want <br />this development to become a Second Amendment right either and stated she looked forward to <br />conducting further research on the project to see how it would fit into the Mounds View <br />Boulevard Corridor.