CC MINUTES 08231983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-6- Councilman Ranallo commented that he had. observed that large committees \ rarely accomplish anything and., suggested two or three persons re- presenting each side might result in a more effective negotiation. Councilman Enrooth suggested a mediator service- might be utilized. There was general agreement that Mr. Childs ' workload is too heavy for him to undertake the task of acting as mediator and secretary in this problem. Erling Weiberg, who lives at 3409 - 36th Avenue N.E. , the street just behind . the church property , reiterated that he had served as spokes- person for both the six families on 36th, whose property would be most affected by the -proposed- addition, and the 23 persons in that neighbor- hood who had signed the petition of -opposition to its construction in the location proposed.. Because the notice of the July 19th hearing had not specifically stated where the church expansion would be made, and, believing the addition-would be made to the north, -as had been assumed by the neighbors over the years , Mr. Weiberg said he and his wife came to the hearing fully expecting to support the church' s request. However, when- they learned the addition would instead be built directly behind two of the neighbors , who vehemently opposed its construction, .Mr. and Mrs . Weiberg concluded they had no choice but to support their neighbors . When the Planning Commission tabled their recommendation on the church proposal to .give the church an opportunity of coming up with a more acceptable plan, the neighbors came to the August 4th meeting with the church officials anticipating that would be the case, according to Mr. Weiberg. Instead, he said, the church officials indicated. they could not change their plans and the only suggestions for other ways of constructing the addition came from the neighbors themselves , and all those were rejected by Mr. Jones - at the August 16th Commission hearing: The fact that one resident had expressed opposition to one of these suggestions was certainly not representative ofthe whole neighborhood, Mr. Weiberg said. Because there had been complaints about the church's maintenance of their property in the past, and in order .that these problems should not become a source of major disagreements between the church and the neighbors , or issues in which the City would .have to be involved, as this one -had, the spokesperson suggested the 'establishment of a neighbor- hood committee .which 'could meet on a yearly basis with church officials to work out any problems regarding weed control , snow removal, etc. which might come up during the year. When Mayor Sundland asked Mr. Weiberg if he believed it would be possible for the neighbors to come up with an alternative to -the church 's proposal which would be satisfactory to both parties , the spokesperson responded that he believes, "it should be up to the church to develop a plan which the residents could live with" . Reverend Valtinson . then asked what assurances the church would have that, if a plan could be agreed upon by both the church and neighbors , it would be given. City approval. Councilman Enrooth told him he is certain any plan which had the tacit approval of the. neighbors would have no problem getting the approval of both the Planning Commission and the Council. �. Councilman Marks told the church representatives he is concerned that any decision by the Council that evening would surely interrupt the