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

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Deb Kemp, 6003 1781h Lane NW, raised concern about changing the City code to allow this business in a residential area and setting a precedence despite a majority resident opposition. She also cited the raise in taxes that could be shouldered by businesses that have outgrown their HOP practices. She asked for denial of the HOP Level Two. Mike Kemp, 6003 178 h Lane NW, stated he is a gun owner and has nothing against the applicant but that he feels it is a brick and mortal business in a residential area. Sherry Johnson, 17757 Potassium Street NW, asked why the Council chose to ignore the recommendation of the Planning Commission and zoning Staff which have both recommended to deny the Level Two application. She also asked why the applicant isn't being asked to abide by the Level One permit instead of allowing him to expand the permit. She asked the Level Two permit be denied. Laura Renna, 6112 178 h Lane NW, asked about the security and questioned the background checks, how they are done, and if things can be missed. She felt the security with the pole barn couldn't be assured and that brick and mortar gun shops have been broken into. She stated that although Mr. Trout has said he wouldn't do advertisement with signs and his address listed and even though it has been taken down, he has already done it. Arnie Cox, 6001 177 h Lane NW, stated his isn't against guns or business. He believes businesses don't belong in residential areas and when the applicant didn't follow the rules of the Level One HOP, he was offered a higher level. Eric Renna, 6112 178 h Lane NW, asked about effects of having this business on home values. He spoke to two realtors that said there would be negative effect with the amount of traffic and security risks. He stated residents who don't want to have a gun shop next door would be forced to sell and move outside of Ramsey. Leah Calabrese, 16201 Nowthen Blvd., stated she is a home daycare provider and asked Councilmembers to consider safety for children and traffic. Derek Trout, the applicant, responded to the concern about traffic by stating that including online sales and transactions to himself, there has been less than one transaction per day. He is trying to stay within or under the requirements of the Level Two HOP. He responded to the concern of this being a questionable business by saying he has been licensed and gone through every sort of licenses he can to ensure safety. He responded to the concern that he doesn't pay business taxes by stating he does pay corporate and income taxes. He responded to the concern about the validity of background checks by stating they are full background checks that go further than what standard permit to carry background checks do. He stated he has met all the inspections that have been required including the Police Chief and ATF. He stated he is trying to work with neighbors and challenged the assertion that home values would be impacted. Kelly Schmidt, 6000 177 h Lane NW, stated Mr. Trout has never, in two and half years, made any attempt to contact any of the 19 neighbors. City Council/March 22, 2022 Page 6 of 25