CC PACKET 06262012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2012 Page 5 that the proposed use would be detrimental to the vicinity and values in the area. He felt the Islamic Center did not represent a cultural community center and the City already has a community center. 5 Mr. Sadik Warfa, 620 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, appeared before the City Council and 6 asked the City Council to approve the CUP for the proposed Islamic Center. He stated everyone 7 in this country enjoys religious liberty and this is one of the cornerstones of the country. IIe 8 stated when they came here 20 years ago people welcomed them and the Islamic Center will 9 serve the needs of the community. He asked the City Council not to follow emotions and to look 10 at the law and what is good for St. Anthony. 11 12 Mr. Ron Hansen, 3220 Belden Drive, appeared before the City Council and recited a quote from 13 Mayor Faust in the May 3`d Bulletin indicating the issue of whether this building is on the tax 14 rolls is not part of the issue before the City Council. He stated his property taxes increased 15 13.3% at a time when most cities in the metro are holding their budgets to 1-2%. He indicated 16 taxes on this property were $84,000 per year and the City receives approximately $56,000. He 17 did not feel anyone would pay $1.9 million for a building to hold 1-2 hours of prayer per week. 18 Ile indicated there are very few industrial properties in the City and the City can ill afford to lose 19 them. Ile urged the City Council to vote no and added this has nothing to do with religion or 20 emotions. 21 22 Mayor Faust stated that taxes are not a legal issue upon which the City Council can base its 23 decision and represents a false argument upon which to deny a CUP. 24 25 Ms. Anne Collopy, 3155 Old I lighway 8, appeared before the City Council and expressed 26 concern that she and several of her neighbors were not aware of this pending CUP request and 27 they would have liked to have had a chance to speak with the City Council. She asked if the City 28 communicates with the City of Roseville because this affects traffic in Roseville. She asked if 29 the issue could be tabled to allow her and her neighbors an opportunity to talk with the City 30 Council further. 31 32 Mayor Faust stated this item cannot be tabled and if no formal action is taken this evening, the 33 CUP goes into effect. He asked if all property owners within 300' were notified of the CUP 34 request. 35 36 City Manager Casey replied the City notified all property owners within 300' of the CUP 37 request. 38 39 Mr. Michael Bird, 3416 Edward Street NE, appeared before the City Council and stated his 40 objection to the proposed use and agreed with the comments made by Mr. Hansen. He stated if 41 the building is entirely tax exempt, the City will have to cut expenses or pass off additional costs 42 to the taxpayers. He stated that many students attending St. Anthony schools currently live 43 elsewhere and the City's residents are subsidizing those students coming in from outside the 44 area. He also wondered whether people might live in the building. 45