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Mounds View Planning Commission September 6, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 9 Planner Ericson explained that after reviewing the documentation and taking public testimony, Staff is asking the Planning Commission to direct Staff to draft a resolution approving the variance either as requested or as compromised, or to draft a resolution denying the variance request. If the Planning Commission so chooses to approve the variance, Staff has included a draft resolution that can be acted upon as is or with any modifications as deemed necessary. Chairperson Peterson opened the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. Herbert Zworn of 7660 Greenfield Avenue explained that his property would be the most affected by the development of the lot. He then explained that he currently spends several hours a month maintaining his property due to trash and other debris that is thrown in his yard by people who cut through his lot and the undeveloped lot to get to Tom Thumb. Mr. Zworn explained that there is an additional problem along the back of his property because Tom Thumb does not maintain the area around the privacy fence that separates his lot from the Tom Thumb lot. He indicated that he has many problems with Tom Thumb and feels another commercial building will only increase the problems he has to deal with because the commercial property owners/developers do not maintain their property. Mr. Zworn indicated that his front windows look directly out into the vacant lot and a two-story structure will obstruct his view. He also indicated that he would be looking at an eight-foot privacy fence out of one-half of the front window. Mr. Zworn asked the Planning Commission to restudy this project and implement other policies or designs, or vacate the idea because he feels that the property owner/developer and the Commission are attempting to put a “square peg in a round hole.” Chairperson Peterson told Mr. Zworn that Tom Thumb should be working with him to alleviate foot traffic across the property. A member of the audience stated that only half of the people within 350 feet were notified. Chairperson Peterson inquired of Staff as to whom and what addresses the notices were mailed. Planner Ericson advised of the number of properties on each adjacent street that were notified of the public hearing. Chairperson Peterson stated that the foot traffic to and from Tom Thumb should not be happening. He told Mr. Zworn that the City and the developer in this case do not want to make his situation worse and, in his opinion, developing the lot and placing a fence around the property would prohibit foot traffic to and from Tom Thumb and, thus, improve the situation Mr. Zworn is in. Colleen Olson of 7641 Edgewood Drive stated that she is not directly adjacent to the property but she objects to the variance because her neighborhood is already very congested and developing this lot will add to that congestion. She said she feels that this variance would give