05-22-2023 CC (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council May 22, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 and she loved seeing deer, rabbits, birds and squirrels. While she was only a kid, she wanted to have a life filled with happy experiences in her backyard. She discussed the memories she has made on the land behind her home and encouraged the Council to protect this forest and wetland area. Julie Clark, 8005 Woodlawn Drive, spoke to the Council regarding the Arden Park proposal. She explained she had many of the concerns that have already been raised by her neighbors. She stated she has a close community of neighbors that have organized two in-person neighborhood meetings, conducted an online survey and has spoken to over 200 people in the community in the last two weeks. She reported 98% of the people that took the survey do not support the townhome/yard home proposal. In addition, the neighbors do not support giving or selling the land at a reduced price to a multi-billion dollar developer. She noted 67% of the residents that completed the survey have lived in Mounds View for over 10 years and they were concerned with the fact the proposed development does not match the neighborhood. She indicated the neighbors would support single family homes or the preservation/expansion of the park area. She stated one popular idea was to turn this area into a dog park. She provided the Council with a handout on the results of the survey that was conducted. She encouraged the Council to consider the comments and questions that were provided from the Mounds View residents. She asked that the Council to represent the residents of Mounds View and to stop pursuing the Arden Park proposal. Joel Copp, 8388 Long Lake Road, stated he and his wife have been dedicated residents of Mounds View for the past 35 years. He explained Mounds View was a community of owner occupied single family homes on individual lots that were 50 to 100 feet wide. He noted these homeowners have elected this Council to support their values. He reported the 75 unit high density townhome project was not in keeping with the character or values of this community. He stated this project will negatively impact existing property values and would add 300+ vehicles to Long Lake Road per day. He stated this development would put great demands onto the City’s infrastructure and would put permanent negative quality of life impacts on the established residents of Mounds View. Tony Preciado, 8217 Long Lake Road, stated he opposed the Arden Park project. He noted this development would be located directly in his back yard. He reported he has tried to purchase the land behind his house several times. He stated if this project goes through, he would do everything in his power to make sure none of the Councilmembers are reelected. He questioned how the City Council was benefiting from this proposed project and feared how the wildlife in the area would be impacted. Tom Carlson, 8051 Woodlawn Drive, encouraged the Council to review the surveys and questionnaires that were brought to the Council from Ms. Clark. He urged the Council to hear the voices of the surrounding residents. He reported the project area was platted for eight single family homes and the developer was proposing to squeeze 87 homes onto this space. He asked that the Council consider what this would do the neighborhood and to the surrounding area. He stated if the area were to be developed, low-density housing should be considered. Dale Federer, 2322 Laport Drive, reported he has lived on Laport Drive for the past 40 years and noted he has lived through the Medtronic development. He explained he would be extremely disappointed to see high density housing this close to the transfer station. He questioned if the