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To whom it may concern, <br />I am writing in opposition to the proposed rezoning of the property located at the intersection of 161" Ave <br />and Variolite Street adjacent to Central Park. There are a number of reasons why the rezoning of this <br />parcel should not be allowed. Among them traffic and safety, inconsistency of zoning for this use and <br />environmental concerns. I would like you to also consider disruption of use that will be inflicted upon the <br />adjoining and nearby residents. <br />I have looked to the 2 other schools in the City of Ramsey to see what similar areas zoned for this use <br />look like. I was unable to get complete statistics on the other schools in short notice. My estimates are <br />closest estimates based on calls to the district, the schools and internet resources. I have attached arial <br />layouts from the 2 already constructed schools and the proposed PACT school. <br />Both Brookside and Ramsey have access point only along County Highway 5 also known as Nowthen <br />Blvd. Both schools have access which allow safe access in and out for busses. PACT has 2 access point <br />along a residential street. This access is contemplated for busses to enter and exit the parcel within feet of <br />a residential driveway. A potential for a secondary access thru an adjoining parcel is not guaranteed. <br />Even if the access is obtained thru the adjoining parcel to Variolite, that road is also not designed to <br />handle this volume of traffic. In addition, there is nothing to stop any traffic from the school from turning <br />back onto the residential road of 161" Ave NW. Both Brookside and Ramsey have access direct to <br />County Highway 5, a County Highway designed for this type of use. PACT currently has residential <br />street and possible a larger street neither designed for or likely to provide reasonable sightlines for the <br />incoming and exiting traffic. PACT will need to have traffic from the school proceed through a number <br />of smaller roads before coming to a collector street. <br />The residential street of 161" Ave NW cannot handle the increased traffic unless it is expanded <br />significantly. A cost that would not be necessary but for the rezoning of this parcel. Currently the roads <br />that may become secondary roads for PACT traffic, Xenolith St and 159`" Avenue are likely to see <br />increased volume of traffic and safety concerns if this parcel is rezoned. Will the city be adding <br />sidewalks to these roads so that those residents can be safe on their street? Will the cost for this <br />improvement be borne by the taxpayers or the applicant? It is unlikely these roads would need <br />improvement of this type but for increased traffic. The current schools in the city have been located on <br />roads designed for this this type of traffic and the greatest possible safety they still face challenges. This <br />parcel does not have the benefit of direct access to a collector street thereby pushing the burden of the <br />traffic and the lack of safe road conditions onto the local residents and the cost of redesigning these roads <br />to the taxpayers. A traffic study needs to look at this as well. <br />Another difference that should be pointed out is that since PACT will be a high school there needs to be <br />considerations for students driving to the school. This is an additional traffic source not seen in <br />elementary schools that should be receiving students via bussing and walking. PACT services statewide <br />students not just local students so traffic from parent drop off may be increased based on lack of <br />availability of bussing. This means additional traffic in the form of individual cars. The resulting traffic <br />will come in the form of twice a day traffic at the beginning and end of the day as well as sporadic traffic <br />all day five days a week. It will also include special events and sporting events consisting of spectators <br />and visitors these event tend to be larger more frequent and generate <br />In addition to the traffic from the proposed school and possible church information from the agenda <br />contemplates expansion of the park use that will also increase traffic. No study has yet looked at the <br />current expanding traffic from Central Park let alone expanding traffic from the park a new school and a <br />church. The proposed church will also have traffic impacts both on Sundays and possible for daily mass <br />as is advertised on their current website. What happens if all of the uses on the residential street of 161" <br />