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Commissioner Hunt asked if the Commission is looking at the building and not what the use will <br />be. Associate Planner Gladhill responded that the commission is also verifying that the use is a <br />permitted use under City Code, State Statue, and Federal Fair Housing Act. <br />Commissioner Hunt continued then we legally can't consider what goes on in the building as <br />long as it meets those requirements and we would be liable should we deny the request because <br />of what goes on inside the building. Associate Planner Gladhill responded the Planning <br />Commission has an ethical obligation to recommend what is in our city code today and that <br />includes conditional uses, permitted uses, accessory uses and bulk standards that go along with <br />the specific zoning district. <br />Grant Heino, 4861 142" a Lane, stated he was a realtor. He stated there was a home for <br />developmental disabilities in New Hope and the home values went down approximately 17% <br />within a four block area. He will be submitting a petition to permanently protect the park. <br />Mr. Nelson, stated he understands the federal requirements for group homes, what he would like <br />to challenge is that drug dependency is a disease. He is not sure the city has an obligation to <br />provide a place for a group home of illegal use of drugs. He is worried about the boyfriends and <br />husbands that come into the neighborhood. He stated he does not think a multi -use building is <br />right for this location <br />Associate Planner Gladhill stated as part of this process, information was gathered regarding <br />licenses and this is a residential use per state statue. He continued there are minimum bedroom <br />sizes; however, it does not specify the occupancy. One of the permitted uses in R-3 High Density <br />Residential is group homes. <br />Dale Pearson, 14276 Waco Street, stated the people are asking the Commission to deny this. <br />Ms. Bell stated that there is no transportation from this location to the welfare office in Anoka, <br />however, in the Town Center area there is bus service and soon to be a train service. <br />Chairperson Levine encouraged members of the audience to contact their council member with <br />their concerns. <br />Planning Manager Miller clarified the transit available here in town center; the bus service is <br />express and only goes downtown and the train service is commuter rail. It is not the typical <br />transit that is in other areas. <br />Mr. Weicht stated that the State tells us the size of the dorms and the bedrooms meet those <br />requirements. Not concerned with the liquor store because this program helps them set the <br />mindset to deal with the issue. <br />Chairperson Levine stated that he doesn't think the parcel should be zoned R-3 Residential. <br />Planning Commission/August 5, 2010 <br />Page 7of10 <br />P7 <br />