2001.09.26 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Meeting September 26, 2001- page 5 Industrial; rezone the north parcel Industrial and the south parcel Multi -Family; rezone the north parcel to Industrial, the east portion of the south parcel to Industrial, and the west portion of the south parcel to multifamily; or keep the current zoning of both parcels. The City had received three letters commenting on the proposed rezoning. One letter was from Jennifer Spears, 5346 1401h Street North, stating she felt rezoning the land from residential to general industrial was not in the best interest of the residents of Hugo because of the nature of the businesses that may occupy the land and the danger of the increase in traffic. Spears also requested in her letter that the City implement a noise ordinance should the property be rezoned to Industrial. Another letter received was from Dave Schwinghammer, manager of Como Lube, 13575 Fenway Boulevard, stating he was in favor of rezoning both parcels to general industrial. The final letter was from Steve Ach, Land Development Manager for Centex Homes, stating Centex Homes had recently entered into a contract with Tschida to purchase 49 acres from him for the purpose of building residential homes, and requested the property be zoned multi -family. Jim Tagleia, President of Nor -Lakes, 13615 Fenway Court North, supported rezoning the parcel west of Fenway Avenue to Industrial because the infrastructure was in place and should be utilized, industrial zoned property provides a large tax base, and to rezone residential would result in an increase of children in the area who already find his existing parking lot a place to play and skateboard, which is very dangerous with the truck traffic. Cale Konetchy, 14003 Fenway Avenue North, who was present with his fiancee Molly Loban, said he felt a 50 percent increase of industrial land within the City is excessive, and was concerned about industrial traffic and noise so close to residents. Konetchy said he was opposed to the rezoning of the land to industrial. Sean and Kathy Connor, 14005 Fenway Boulevard, were opposed to the rezoning to industrial because heavy industrial traffic is dangerous through residential areas and there was no direct access to Highway 61. Mr. Connor also said he felt the existing infrastructure would be utilized just as well by residential development, and suggested a park be put on the Molitor parcel. Connor asked the matter be tabled to allow the Planning Commission members to visit the properties before making their decision. Tom Junnila, representing Schwieter's Construction located in the existing industrial park, spoke in support of rezoning the northern property to industrial because he feels it is a continuation of a decision made a long time ago to develop this area as commercial/industrial, and it would be an asset to the City and provide jobs to Hugo residents. Junnila said the southern property would not be suitable for industrial development because of the wetlands on it. Junnila said he was not in favor of multi -family zoning because of the location of the existing industrial park, saying residents would be facing industrial property that is allowed to have exterior outside storage and lighting.