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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 28 , 2017 Page 11 would need to approve any modifications to the Parkway. He asked what infrastructure will be 1 put in to protect the school children. He asked for density of 25 units per acre. 2 3 Mr. Perry Thorvig, 3112 Townview Avenue, agreed that the request for Comp Plan amendment 4 increasing density to 48 units per acre should be denied, noting t here are other important issues 5 to address. He stated the staff report does not take into consideration 17 critical points previously 6 submitted via email and also provided to the Chair. He stated if the staff recommendation is 7 adopted, the developer will think there is now a path to a 696-unit development and will believe 8 they have their high-density land use. Mr. Thorvig stated density is a range and the Comp Plan 9 reads that only 425 units may be approved. He noted the residents who submitted the petition 10 and others believe that 425 units at 25 units per acre is in compliance with the Comprehensive 11 Plan . He believed the developer has no legal right to 833 or 696 units, noting t hey are arguing 12 they cannot make a profit if only 425 units are approved. He asked, who’s problem is that? He 13 stated they bought property zoned for single-family homes and it seems they are in over their 14 head. Mr. Thorvig noted t he staff report does not address any of the five principles in the 15 Comprehensive Plan and t his development is not like Silver Lake Village . He believed a 425-16 unit development would reduce the traffic, eliminate the need to use the alley for access to the 17 townhomes , and there would be more room for greenspace. He asked the Planning Commission 18 to review his 17 questions and reconvene in 2 weeks. He also asked the Commission to not take 19 the easy way out and approve staff’s incomplete recommendation that does not address all the 20 key issues. 21 22 Mr. Thomas Isaacson, 2604 Pahl Avenue, reminded the Commission the range is 25 -40 units per 23 acre. He is optimistic on the re -development of Lowry Grove. It would provide additional 24 affordability housing for the community. It can lead to a safer Kenzie Terrace for pedestrian and 25 bicycle traffic. They support the inclusion of the townhomes along the north and we st borders of 26 the development. This would provide a buffer for the SoSo neighborhood. There are 99 family 27 homes with 80 children. They do not want to see that changed. They support the higher buildings 28 along Kenzie Terrace. He commented on traffic. The existing trees connect the spaces. There are 29 no sidewalks in his neighborhood. The children play in the alleys. Safety for the children in the 30 neighborhood is a constant concern. St. Charles brings an additional 300 children into the 31 neighborhood. He does not want the townhouse access to be through the alley and come through 32 their neighborhood. All parking and driveway access should be contained within the 33 development. He noted you cannot turn left on either end of the driveway. He is concerned with 34 the dependence the development has on the alley. He asked the developer to consider tuck under 35 garages with southern access to the driveways. This would not allow additional traffic to enter 36 his neighborhood. Trees could be planted in the backyards of the townhomes. 37 38 Ms. Nina Guertin, 2653 Stinson Blvd, stated she has been a resident for six years and is part of 39 the SoSo neighborhood. She believes it is in the City’s best interest to reduce the density as she 40 is concerned with parking, overcrowding of schools, and fit of the buildings into the 41 neighborhood. She commented on the use of alley and water runoff and stated she is concerned 42 about adding 20 driveways into the alley as there are already water problems with heavy rains in 43 the neighborhood. In addition, there is a safety concern for the 80 children in the neighborhood. 44 She wants the developer to shift the driveways to use the two or more planned access points. 45 46 11