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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 5 1 application was not in-depth enough for the Commission to consider this as a use. Mr. Ross 2 stated they are fitting within the current PUD. 3 4 Chair Socha stated even though the zoning included this type of use, the previous PUD said it 5 would be for affordable multi-family housing. This is a policy decision. The property has been 6 vacant for two years. The question is whether the Commission is going to accept this new land 7 use. She asked about the business that would be within the building. Mr. Ross stated there 8 would be an office for the after-school program. Mr. Khaleef Warsame stated there would be 9 other offices available for rental with clients coming in for those other businesses. These 10 would be professional services. The primary use is a community center. They are currently 11 located in Minneapolis. They felt there is a need to serve the community. There will be a 12 study center with teachers available to tutor the students. The hours of operation will vary. 13 They would like to start serving college students. 14 15 Commissioner Morita stated the main purpose is after-school care for students. He asked if 16 there will be events and when would these events be held. Mr. Kaliv stated there will be a 17 multi-purpose room that will be available. Parent involvement activities will be held. They do 18 not expect any sessions to be held later in the evening. They are a 501C organization. 19 20 Commissioner Erickson asked if they are purchasing the building and will they be pursuing an 21 exemption on taxes. The services provided are community-based. 22 23 Commissioner Rude stated when the bank moved, a multi-family building was promised with 24 a large property tax bill of $300,000 - $400,000 yearly. What would they be bringing to the 25 City in place of that tax revenue? Mr. Muse, teacher, tutor and board member. They would 26 bring introducing technical skills to the students. They currently serve the East African 27 community. 28 29 Chair Socha stated this additional information is very helpful. She asked if the community 30 served is at risk. The students are encouraged to pursue further education after which they can 31 work in the community. Chair Socha asked where the current location is located in South 32 Minneapolis. Mr. Khaleef Warsame stated they have a good relationship with the community. 33 34 Mr. Ross stated the building where it is now is overgrown. With people in the building the 35 maintenance will be improved. 36 37 Mr. Mohammed Hassan stated he goes to the community center and has lived in St. Anthony 38 since 2012. He attends the University of St. Thomas for computer science and business. They 39 have people who have graduated with pre-med. They provide role models for younger 40 students. He was 9 when he started going to the community center. Every student that goes 41 there are defined by the community center. The community center has been in existence since 42 2020. 43 44 Chair Socha stated the Planning Commission is an advisory commission to the City Council. 45