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Mounds View Planning Commission May 7, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 10 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Hegland indicated the City needed to limit the square footage for the business. The Commission agreed to a 5,000 square foot limitation. Commissioner Zwirn asked if any of the Commissioners had gone to Mounds View Square and seen the activity in the evening. He then asked if any of them wanted the pawnshop in the mall. Commissioner Zwirn indicated that most of the people that he talked to had not been given a notice and nobody informed them about what is going on. He then said he is tired of this community passing things without informing residents that later negatively impacts them. Commissioner Johnson indicated that what the Commission is doing does not require public notice and that is why no one is informed. He then said that once the recommendation goes to Council the notices will go out and residents will have an opportunity to come to Council and voice concerns. He further commented that the City can only do so much to notify people and the rest is up to residents to keep informed of what is going on within the City. He also commented that the information will be on the website, cable, and in the paper so, if residents are not informed it is because of a lack of effort on their part. Commissioner Zwirn indicated he feels the Commission needs further information. Commissioner Hegland indicated it is not the Commission’s job to inform the residents. Commissioner Johnson indicated that if there is as much outrage at the Council level as has been eluded to at this meeting then the pawnshop at Mounds View Square will not fly but that is up to Council to determine. Commissioner Zwirn said he has been a victim of this process with Mr. Mezzenga and he is still dealing with the fallout. He then commented that the people in this community do not have the time that it takes to worry about what variances are being approved and how that is going to affect them and it is the City’s responsibility to inform them. Council Member Gunn indicated that residents are concerned as there has never been a pawnshop in the City and they do not know how it will impact them. She then said that the Commission has done a lot of work on the ordinances and she feels it is time to forward the recommendation to Council for further research and public input. Commissioner Hegland indicated that no matter where the pawnshop is located it is in someone’s backyard and they will say they do not want it. Commissioner Johnson indicated an overlay is a band-aid for the problem as it would have to be in the industrial parks and he is not sure that is a good idea. He then said he would like to limit the square footage and pass the recommendation to Council for further consideration.