12-12-2022 CC (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council December 12, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 6 Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, asked if this project had been cleared with Ramsey County. Grant Bilski, 5219 O’Connell Drive, commented on the parking numbers that were displayed. He stated 93 spaces were being used for 60 units at the Boulevard. He reported if the same rate of use was followed at the Woodale Apartments, the site would have to have 217 parking spaces for 140 units. Darrel Rosenthal, 5125 Sunnyside Road, indicated the developer has made it sound like there would not be an appreciable increase in traffic along Woodale Drive. He explained the peak hours for this roadway were from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and then from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. He questioned where the Woodale Apartments would access Woodale Drive, noting there was a very short stretch of roadway before the light. He stated this intersection was already a concern because there was a curve. He discussed how Allina Health has an ambulance garage and needs access to the intersection. He feared that if the intersection was jammed up, this would become a public safety concern. He believed there were issues that have not been addressed. He indicated he did not agree with the City offering TIF for this project. He commented on the how TIF was used for the Medtronic property. He stated the long-term value of apartments was not great for the community. He noted apartment buildings also become a burden for the police department. Kim Alexander-Susens, 5209 O’Connell Drive, stated she appreciated traffic study, but explained she does not come down Mounds View Boulevard in order to make a left on Woodale Drive because only two or three cars can make a left at the light. She feared how the proposed apartment complex would cause a backup on Mounds View Boulevard for vehicles that were trying to take a left on Woodale Drive. She reported the alternative would be that vehicles would take County Road H and would drive behind the Mermaid, through the neighborhood, in order to access Woodale Apartments because it was a shortcut. She discussed how her street was narrowed to assist with slowing traffic, but noted this has not occurred. She indicated residents in her neighborhood have to pay $250 a year to have their child bussed to school for safety purposes because traffic around the school was so dangerous. She explained the apartment complex would push additional traffic onto Woodale Drive, making an already difficult situation worse. She stated she worked in human services and she anticipated the people that live in the proposed apartment complex would have visitors or health assistance personnel visitors from time to time, which would require additional parking spaces. Tiffany Alexander-Susens, 5209 O’Connell Drive, feared the developer was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with this development. She reported the developer was requesting seven different deviations from City Code and perhaps another location should be considered for this development. She discussed how the setback on the west property line has been reduced to 26 feet from 40 feet in the original plans. She expressed concern with the fact every tree on the property would be removed. She encouraged the Council to not support this development because it was not a good fit for the property or the neighborhood. Kim Donley, 5210 O’Connell Drive, stated when people drive into Mounds View it was not a pretty sight, except for the one-half block at Woodale Drive where there is greenspace and