Agenda - Council - 03/22/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jessica Bush, 17720 Baugh Street NW, stated she shared concerns of the neighboring residents because of the values of rural Ramsey. She stated her four children attend PACT Charter school and she sent an email with concerns. She stated this opportunity will create around 100 new jobs, increase home values, and create a desire to live in Ramsey. She thought there were a lot of opportunities for shared use that will benefit the community. She felt that the expansion would create healthy competition and will help with overcrowding in the schools. Jacqueline Washburn, 325 Harrison Street, Anoka, she stated she is renting and actively looking for a home in Ramsey. She stated her children attend PACT and her husband will be working in Ramsey. She asked that comments by those who are not current Ramsey residents but hope to be will be considered. She stated that PACT and JP Vang have considered eight other locations but none worked. She stated that Anoka has several schools in residential areas. She supported PACT as a quality Charter school and felt the expansion would allow for even more opportunities. Amber Cuevas, 7474 163rd Avenue NW, stated she attended St. Katharine Church and had considered PACT Charter school for her children. She expressed concerns about the drainage going into her back yard as well as the noise. She questioned the validity of raising home values for her home with the school so close. Michael Johnson, 7494 163rd Avenue NW, stated he is a long time Ramsey resident and an educator. He understood that there is a desire for a new school but stated that community is typically built up around a school instead of a school being placed in the community. He stated he raised his children in Ramsey and expressed concerns about losing the small-town feel. He shared concern about drainage as his property has already seen flooding. Matt Bowl, 7650 163rd Lane NW, shared concerns with the stadium that would be in his backyard. David Berg, 16210 Uraninite Street NW, shared concerns with the quality of life in the area and the loss of the small-town feel. He stated he would be right across from the proposed church and expressed concern with the size of the lot for the school when other schools are on much larger lots. He also expressed concerns about plans to share the park with the school because it would mean expanding beyond the 18 acres and redoing streets that were just done last year. He stated his grandchildren attend PACT Charter school, he had to get there 20 minutes to drop off children at the current location, and felt the proposed area couldn't support the needs. Sara Smith, 7480 159th Avenue NW, shared concerns with other neighbors. She stated that Variolite Street is a residential street and the residential development has only one access onto Variolite. She challenged the argument that traffic wouldn't impact the neighborhood that much and asked that current residents be protected and have options for road access. Josh Nyquist, 14852 Peridot Street NW, Executive of Building Operations at PACT Charter School, stated PACT was started in Anoka and moved to Ramsey in 2004. He stated PACT has honored children and families and values their input. He stated there are over 500 students and a large wait list. He stated this expansion would allow the school to continue to benefit Ramsey, especially at the high school level. He stated they are not able to access the same funding as public schools who can afford to purchase 30+ acres but are able to do more with less. City Council/March 8, 2022 Page 10 of 38