PL MINUTES 08181981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-4- Mrs. Dorumsgaard asked how the City could integrate the density considered feasible for the Walbon property with the expensive homes in that area, and questioned whether the City was "being pressured by other governmental agencies to provide moderate income housing which she believes will adversely affect the valuation of her home. Mr. Jones indicated, although he knows the Metropolitan Council is recom- mending building codes be relaxed to allow more affordable housing, he believes the City is in substantial compliance with the number of low income to middle income families who are housed in the. apartment buildings in the northern section of the community. When Mrs. Dorumsgaard asked the Commission members to speculate as to what a -real estate appraiser would tell her about the effect she could expect on her home valuation if the density proposed is permitted, the Chairman told her, as an appraiser, he believes she would be told that unless the project was developed with adequate barriers and in an attractive manner, her property value might well be lowered. She was also reminded that if the City does nothing about the Walbon property, any enterprise which has existed on the site, including production of gravel and blacktop, excavating, trucking, and -even a restaurant and a filling station, might legally be repeated by the Walbons . Robert Williams, 3125 Croft Drive, (lot 4) who lives on the south side of the Walbon property, said he will be inclined to oppose any develop- ment which exceeds an R-1 zoning because he sees increasing the density will significantly affect the quality of the .neighborhood, principally as related to the noise and traffic which will be generated. His main objection -to the Walbon-' s existing usage is the noise generated by refrigerator trucks which are left running all night.. Mr. Dougherty • recalled that when he was on the Council the Walbon property had been considered for single family development and with the necessary cul de sac, estimated only five or six homes could be built on that site. When Mrs: Dorumsgaard was asked what her reaction was to� the Executive Manor, which is only 300 feet from her property, where units are priced from $50 , 000 to $60 ,000. She pointed out the ample grassy areas around the building and said the parking is all located on the highway away from the adjoining single family dwellings . She then cited the Fudali townhouses - which sold for as much as $100 ,000 before they were ever built, which she believes were constructed in an attractive manner. Councilman Ranallo told Mrs . Dorumsgaard the City' s HRA was spearheaded for the Kenzie Terrace revitalization but was intended to provide a redevelopment tool anywhere in the City. The hearing was closed at 9 :50 P.M. after the Chairman -had assured the residents present that no action was to be taken that evening and their comments would be very helpful to both the Commission and Council in making a determination. Mr. Enrooth indicated he did not believe the Commission had sufficient information to make an informed decision regarding a recommendation at this time. Mr. Peterson commented that, although he perceived the residents might have been confused regarding the purpose of the hearing and the develop- ment itself, he believed their perspectives might change if an - attractive development were offered. However, he doubted whether they