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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2018 Page 5 Ms. Virginia McGee, 4339 Chatsworth Circle, Shoreview, stated she is a former student teacher 1 and current teacher at Willow and Sprout. The model at Willow and Sprout is very holistic and a 2 wonderful pre-school. It is unique and progressive and an asset to the community. 3 4 Ms. Kristin Blenkush, 2508 36th Avenue NE, has three children who have been through Willow 5 and Sprout. She submitted a letter that was provided to Council. Ms. Blenkush explained what 6 this type of school means to her and stated it is important to support this type of education for 7 children. She noted there are multiple child care providers present and if the Council does not 8 have enough information, she encouraged them to visit the facility and see the traffic patterns. 9 She felt they are not nearly as dire as some residents described. 10 11 Mr. Brian Buck, 3609 33rd Avenue NE, spoke in support of Willow and Sprout and encouraged 12 Council to support the proposal as this center has positive public interest. He felt there is a clear 13 need for quality and affordable child care centers within the community. Mr. Buck stated his 14 family spent six years as part of the Willow and Sprout community. They have a unique model 15 with a favorable teacher-to-child ratio. He stated the experiences are phenomenal, staff has 16 always been very wonderful, and Willow and Sprout is an asset to the community. He noted Ms. 17 Jen Johnson was led to believe by the City Planner that she would be able to grow her business 18 and they are doing their best to address the traffic issues. He requested Council support the 19 business and allow them to increase to 17 children. 20 21 Mayor Faust stated the easy decision is not to violate State Statute. The question is not the 22 quality of the day care. This is a land use issue. 23 24 Councilmember Gray stated he agreed with Mayor Faust’s comments and it appears a very good 25 day care with all the positive comments. He stated the Council needs to balance the needs of the 26 residents, maintain that balance, and he believes 14 students are enough at this time. 27 28 Councilmember Stille agreed with Mayor Faust and Councilmember Gray’s comments. He noted 29 his wife is an educator and she speaks very highly of Willow and Sprout. He stated this is a text 30 amendment and affects the entire City and it could open the door for more child cares that may 31 not be as impressive as Willow and Sprout. Councilmember Stille stated it appears to be a great 32 business but he supports the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the requests. 33 34 Councilmember Jenson stated he heard all the testimony and read all the information, but there is 35 not a need to increase the number of students beyond what is stated in the State Statute. He 36 supports the Planning Commission’s recommendation. 37 38 Councilmember Randle stated he has been back and forth on this since the Planning Commission 39 meeting. His neighbor’s kids go to Willow and Sprout and they are great kids; however, he needs 40 to stick with the Statute and supports the recommendation of the Planning Commission. 41 42 Mayor Faust stated it is a 20% increase even though it is only three kids. There is a business in a 43 residential area that is really a commercial business. He stated he heard earlier that the City 44 should not have allowed it but State Statute says you have to allow it up to 14 kids. 45 5