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Chairperson Nixt commented that On the issue of planning, there are studies being done, and <br />consultants have been retained. He ~tated that during the joint meeting they spent over two hours <br />going over consultant reports on.how the sewers will connect, and road plans, etc. <br /> <br />Assistant Community Development: Director Trudgeon advised that the EAW will look at all <br />those things such as the impact on ~road~, schools, traffic, etc. He stated this is a preliminary <br />sketch plan, and the Planning Commission is not taking any action tonight, but he wanted the <br />residents to know they are listening to the iconcerns and will continue to work with the developer. <br /> <br />Commissioner Brauer suggested that the state has a website Concerning EAWs that residents can <br />go to for more information. He stated that While the EAW is done at a City level, it has to <br />conform to State guidelines. <br /> <br />Mr. Stienke stated he sees a lot of contractorS eVery day that build in a City and then leave, and if <br />there are problems they are already gone. He indicated he does not want that here. <br /> <br />Commissioner Van Scoy noted that the questions' Mr. Stienke are asking are bigger than this <br />project or the EAW. He suggested Mr, Stienke take part in. the Comprehensive Plan process and <br />the meeting on February 24th. <br /> <br />John Peterson, 16735 Nowthen Boulevard, stated he has been developing neighborhoods for 30 <br />years, and is now proposing to do a major' development in the city in which'he lives. He <br />indicated his philosophy on the :site is to create a neighborhood of homes that would be <br />characterized as upscate. He stated he realizes there is a big push for affordabi, lity, but this site is <br />not where they would propose that need isl reel He indicated they haVe done a lot of work on the <br />site already with the tree inventory and vCetland inventory, etc. He stated if sewer and water is <br />extended, Code would allow up to 200 units on the site, whereas they are proposing only 165 <br />homes, or about 74% of the maximum alk~wed. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated they are not trying to squeeze every last unit they can out of this beautiful <br />property, and are giving more open space than required. He indicated the trees on the site are an <br />issue, and they found a massive outcropPing of oak wilt. He stated he has been working with <br />Staff and consultants to contain the oak Wilt. He indicated it would be their intention to custom <br />grade the property working with the buyers in order to save every tree posSible. <br /> <br />Mr, Peterson commented that they have applied to two sources for financial help to clean up the <br />pollution on the site, one grant through the Metropolitan Council and one through the <br />Department of Economic Development. He stated they received word they did not get the <br />Metropolitan Council grant. He indicate&that as the developer they are prepared to pay the <br />$700,000 it will cost to clean the site, and have had approved a "Response Action Plan' for <br />voluntary clean-up. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated he was previously on the School board, and the reality is that school districts <br />do not build schools in anticipatiOn of stUdents coming; they wait until the students are there. He <br />indicated that concerning the traffic issuesi theY:will be studied, and he has already begun putting <br /> <br />Planning Commission/January 6, 2005 <br /> ~ Page 5,of 21 <br /> <br />P5 <br /> <br /> <br />