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Mounds View Planning Commission April 3, 2002 <br />Regular Meeting Page 4 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett explained that the number of stalls is less of an issue than the garage spaces. He <br />further explained that during the winter when you would think a garage would be valuable to you <br />is the time when it is most difficult for a handicapped individual to access a garage. He then <br />explained that the garage would be all the way across the parking lot from the door and it is <br />impossible for them to keep the parking lot clear of snow and ice to make it possible to use a <br />wheelchair to get to the garage. He also noted that handicapped individuals must swing their <br />doors all the way open to get the wheelchair out and most of them have vans with a lift making <br />an oversized garage necessary. <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett indicated that over the course of 24 years he has had this issue come up in 10 <br />other communities in the state of Minnesota and all 10 have waived the garage requirement with <br />the exception of one of the first facilities located in Bloomington. He then noted that the garage <br />in that location has become an eyesore for the area due to accumulating junk and other activities <br />occurring in the area. He also pointed out that his financing does not allow for the construction <br />of garages because the federal government considers a garage a luxury. He also noted that the <br />financing requires that the building stay a handicapped housing facility for 40 years. <br /> <br />Acting Chair Miller asked how disabled a person must be to qualify to live in the facility. <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett indicated that it must be an individual who has a mobility impairment that <br />restricts his/her ability to live independently without the architectural changes that are built into <br />this type of facility. He then said that his organization gives priority to those with greater <br />disabilities. <br /> <br />Acting Chair Miller inquired as to how many employees would be at the facility at any given <br />time. <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett indicated never more than four employees and usually only two. <br /> <br />Acting Chair Miller asked what the job of those employees would be. <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett indicated that they would be personal care attendants and noted the residents rely <br />on public transportation through project mobility. <br /> <br />Commissioner Scotch asked if the employees are state funded. <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett indicated that the employees are state funded but need to be hired and managed <br />by the individual resident not the facility. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zwirn asked Mr. Bjerkesett to comment on any police activities or issues at his <br />facilities whether related to tenants or loitering individuals. <br /> <br />Mr. Bjerkesett indicated the organization has had very few problems and no problems at 80% of <br />the facilities. He then admitted there have been issues with the facilities located in higher crime <br />areas. He further explained that a recent supreme court decision has given the organization the