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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2018 Page 3 1 Mr. Bob Nehring, 3017 Wilson Street NE, spoke against the zoning code amendment and the 2 conditional use permit as the child care center does not meet R-1 zoning requirements. He stated 3 the license that Ms. Jen Johnson holds is a commercial type license that does not limit the 4 number of children other than the teacher to student ratio and does not require Ms. Jen Johnson 5 to live on site. She does not live on site and employs three additional teachers in addition to 6 herself. Mr. Nehring quoted State Statute and how it applies to this case. When the business was 7 started it was a business in a homesteaded residence even though no one lived there. Mr. Nehring 8 cited the other day care centers within the City, noting Willow and Sprout is not listed as a 9 permitted use under MN Statute. He does not feel this business belongs in an R-1 zoning district. 10 11 Mr. Scott Springman, 2601 30th Avenue NE, has lived there since 1999. His wife Jodie Sexton 12 spoke at the Planning Commission Meeting in May regarding this matter. They both request the 13 applicant’s request be denied. They originally thought the meeting was to decide if the day care 14 should even exist since it is in a family home. He stated they have no issue with family daycare. 15 They are not questioning the quality of the care provided by Willow and Sprout. This is not a 16 family daycare, it is a day care business that happens to be in a house in an area of single family 17 homes. It is not in an area where a commercial business should be located. Mr. Springman stated 18 although they live several houses away, they can attest to the traffic issues on their street. The 19 street is narrowed with cars parked everywhere. He does not feel his children are safe walking 20 through the area and asked Council to deny the request. 21 22 Mr. Rob Smolund, 2700 Alabama Avenue, St Louis Park, MN, Business Advisor to St. Anthony 23 businesses and residents, stated he has been working with Willow and Sprout for the last two 24 years helping her develop a sustainable growth plan. He stated it would make more financial 25 sense for her to increase the number of students to 17. He cited some examples of other cities 26 that allowed child care centers such as this in residential areas. 27 28 Mr. Jason Rivers, 1205 Laurie Rd W. Roseville, MN, stated he is a parent of a child currently 29 enrolled at Willow and Sprout and also of a child who has graduated from Willow and Sprout. 30 He is speaking on behalf of his wife and himself. They have been connected to Willow and 31 Sprout for nearly a decade and been positively impacted as a family by Willow and Sprout. He 32 cited some examples of how Willow and Sprout has helped develop his children and asked 33 Council to approve the request. 34 35 Ms. Pat Crosby, 2608 31st Avenue NE, appeared as a neighbor of Willow and Sprout. She stated 36 this is a tremendous gem for the area. She has not been inside the facility. Her backyard abuts 37 Willow and Sprout. She stated the children are well supervised and are very polite. 38 39 Ms. Mary Salz, 2604 31st Avenue, her home abuts the back of the Willow and Sprout property. 40 She is a licensed social worker. She sees the children outside playing and they show a great sense 41 of community. She stated she cannot speak to the traffic issues and the Council should consider 42 approving the request. 43 44 Ms. Chris Karki, 7316 Orchid Lane N. Maple Grove, stated she is a licensed educator and a 45 parent of a former student of Willow and Sprout. She has a unique perspective to see her child 46 3