Agenda - Council - 10/12/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Hunt asked if the Commission is looking at the building and not what the use will be. Associate Planner Gladhill responded that the commission is also verifying that the use is a permitted use under City Code, State Statue, and Federal Fair Housing Act. Commissioner Hunt continued then we legally can't consider what goes on in the building as long as it meets those requirements and we would be liable should we deny the request because of what goes on inside the building. Associate Planner Gladhill responded the Planning Commission has an ethical obligation to recommend what is in our city code today and that includes conditional uses, permitted uses, accessory uses and bulk standards that go along with the specific zoning district. Grant Heino, 4861 142 Lane, stated he was a realtor. He stated there was a home for developmental disabilities in New Hope and the home values went down approximately 17% within a four block area. He will be submitting a petition to permanently protect the park. Mr. Nelson, stated he understands the federal requirements for group homes, what he would like to challenge is that drug, dependency is a disease. He is not sure the city has an obligation to provide a place for a group home of illegal use of drugs. He is worried about the boyfriends and husbands that come into the neighborhood. He stated he does not think a multi -use building is right for this location Associate Planner Gladhill stated as part of this process, information was gathered regarding licenses and this is a residential use per state statue. He continued there are minimum bedroom sizes; however, it does not specify the occupancy. One of the permitted uses in R -3 High Density Residential is group homes. Dale Pearson, 14276 Waco Street, stated the people are asking the Commission to deny this. Ms. Bell stated that there is no transportation from this location to the welfare office in Anoka, however, in the Town Center area there is bus service and soon to be a train service. Chairperson Levine encouraged members of the audience to contact their council member with their concerns. Planning Manager Miller clarified .the transit available here in town center; the bus service is express and only goes downtown and the train service is commuter rail. It is not the typical transit that is in other areas. Mr. Weicht stated that the State tells us the size of the dorms and the bedrooms meet those requirements. Not concerned with the liquor store because this program helps them set the mindset to deal with the issue. Chairperson Levine stated that he doesn't think the parcel should be zoned R -3 Residential. Planning Commission /August 5, 2010 Page 7 of 10