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Mounds View City Council June 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 6 1 proposed project does not fit with the neighborhood. She added that the schools were already 2 overflowing and did not have enough help to aid those kids that were struggling. She urged the 3 Council to protect this greenspace because the neighbors love this space and the wildlife. 5 Kayla Roste, 8400 Long Lake Road, stated she has been a teacher for the past 10 years and she 6 was licensed to teach special education and ELL, English language learners. She reported she has 7 been chasing the elusive position in the Mounds View School District and was passed by for 8 someone with more experience. She indicated she now works in the Coon Rapids School District. 9 She indicated she would continue to chase this position because Mounds View was one of the most 10 decorated school districts in the State of Minnesota. As a teacher, it is general knowledge that 11 teachers never leave this district. She argued that if the Ardan proposal goes through, this would 12 have an adverse impact on the Mounds View schools. She noted classrooms would become 13 crowded, even more than they already are. She anticipated more students would slip between the 14 cracks and would become lost in the system. She indicated this would impact the existing residents 15 of Mounds View's children and grandchildren, especially if they require special services. She 16 stated by adding more children to a particular school, there would be a significant burden on school 17 staff. She asked the Council to reconsider the Ardan proposal and suggested a nature center be 18 further considered for this land. 19 20 Pam Star, 7778 Woodlawn Drive, expressed opposition to the Ardan development. She opposed 21 because it would increase traffic, there would be a tremendous loss of greenspace, and this was 22 not the right fit for the neighborhood. She understood why the City needed development, but 23 suggested only single family houses be considered. She suggested the City focus its efforts on 24 fixing blighted properties in the community versus building new developments. 25 26 David Wood, 2501 Sherwood Road, stated he has reviewed the 2040 Comp Plan in order to 27 understand the plans for Ardan Park. He understood Ardan Park was a City park north of the 28 compost site. However, under Recreation and Preserve included the lower part of the property now 29 proposed for development. He reported there were two types of wetlands on this property. He 30 expressed concern with how houses on this property would impact the surrounding storm water 31 management. 32 33 Tony Preciado, 8217 Long Lake Road, stated he was hearing a lot of questions, but no answers. 34 He questioned why the residents received no answers. 35 36 Acting Mayor Meehlhause explained it was policy not to respond to Public Comment because the 37 comments that are made are not related to items on the agenda. He reported this was policy for 38 every city in Minnesota when it comes to Public Comment. 39 40 Mr. Preciado reported Pulte Homes or any other developer was not welcome in his backyard. 41 42 Dan Mueller, 8243 Groveland Road, stated it has been an interesting five and a half months in 43 Mounds View. He indicated there has been several hot button items that have been before the City. 44 He wished that the Council emails were working because this would provide residents with another 45 way to communicate with residents. He wished the Council could have open ears for hearing what 46 the residents had to say. He feared the Council's opinions were coming from staff employees and