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Nov 13 02 04: 29p Bill and Bethany Thomas <br /> 25 <br /> Wednesday, November 13, 2002 . <br /> Mike Morrison and St. Anthony City Council <br /> Dear Council: <br /> Please consider this letter requesting reappointment to the Plan Commission. There is <br /> stili much I would like to contribute to the Commission and the conununity. <br /> In the short time I've been on the Commission I've stressed a"smart growth" approach <br /> towards redevelopment and we've been successful in this approach. Eighteen months <br /> ago I lobbied the Council, and contributed to the initial Met Council's Livable <br /> Communities Demonstration Grant application, and the City was rewarded with $150,000 <br /> in planning money. Ultimately this planning will result in the multi-million dollar <br /> redevelopment of Apache Plaza.. But this process is just beginning. <br /> I've also advocated and the Council has agreed, that contracting out for housing services <br /> with the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation will increase the quality of the <br /> existing housing stock while bringing older houses up to State building code. <br /> I've acted as an informal information resource person for the Commission, city staff and <br /> the Council providing invaluable information on issues such as odors in residential areas, <br /> energy efficiency, FAR and design standards. <br /> Next March 2003, the State Department of Administration and Commerce, Building <br /> Codes Division, will reissue a NOFA for a matching grant that could be used to hire and <br /> train a SAV residential energy guru. With new housing coming online as well as existing <br /> housing rehabilitation taking place,this opportunity would enhance SAV as a truly <br /> progressive community in the energy field. I would be willing to write this application <br /> with the Council's endorsement. <br /> I mentioned at one Commission meeting that SAV could solicit a UMN graduate student <br /> in planning, to conduct an analysis of the housing and commercial stock of the City <br /> putting this in a digitalized GIS format. .The student gets course credit and experience <br /> and SAV gets invaluable information. <br /> In closing, my education and experience in planning and housing will continue to be an <br /> asset while I'm on the Plan Commission and I look forward to continuing to work with <br /> the Council in these challenging redevelopment times. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> William?TAh oom a s <br /> bethanyandbill a,msn.com <br /> 612-706-9467 <br />