Minutes - 2006/04/10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 10, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 7 absolutely clean and not have smell and/or drips. He stated a main concern of the residents of Townsedge Terrace is what may happen to the value of their homes if this project is approved. Jim Clark, 2152 Buckingham Lane, Townsedge Terrace, stated he is very concerned over the situation as he is raising his family in Townsedge Terrace. He stressed that he is very afraid of the health risks and will vacate the area if the project is approved. He stated in reading the application for the conditional use permit and the approval, it talked about the use of pharmaceuticals and the oil refinery in the area. He commented that he did not see where the sewage end fit into that category. He stated it also indicated in the permit that the property value is of no consequence to the surrounding area, and stressed that it is a big consequence to him because he lives there. He stated property values will go down if the project is approved. He noted there have been improvements made to the mobile home park over the years. Mr. Clark questioned the possible pollution of Rice Creek. He stated the priority of Rice Creek Watershed District is that it is a natural filter of all the water in the area, and if that were to get polluted, it feeds all of the water tables in the area. He stated it does empty into the Mississippi River just above the intake ducts of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He stated if there were a spillage, it could be a catastrophe for many more people than just the residents of Mounds View. Mr. Clark asked what benefit the people of Mounds View will gain from the project. He stated he can see the benefit for Mounds View by increasing the property tax on the motel site, but there would be a decrease in property tax revenue from the people that leave the mobile home park. He indicated he pays approximately $1,400 in property tax per year and believes it is a significant amount to the City when a11230 homes are taken into consideration. Mr. Clark presented a petition signed by 170 residents of Townsedge Terrace that are against the proposal. He stated that the notification by Star Environmental only went about one block into the trailer park and only 62 homes were notified. Shirley Dougherty, 2153 Buckingham Lane, Townsedge Terrace, stated that she worked on creating the Rice Creek Watershed District 40 years ago. She stated it is different than all of the other watershed districts in the State of Minnesota. She indicated it was put in place to protect an urban creek or watershed that would feel tremendous pressure as upstream development occurred. She stressed that Rice Creek is a very environmentally sensitive area. She explained that the way Rice Creek comes in to Long Lakeis that the fresh water inlet that is across a narrow strip from the outlet. She indicated the lake does not get the normal turnover with an inlet and outlet like in a regular lake system. She stated actions have taken place to make sure the open space will protect the lake. Ms. Dougherty stated that if there was a spill directly into the Rice Creek system, it would significantly affect Long Lake. She wondered if this project got an environmental assessment or review. She stated that it is not just an environmentally sensitive area, but there is also a hazardous product involved. She also wondered if an annual review would be required. Mayor Marty stated that the report and the resolution do not state that any assessment has been