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Carl Buchholz, 15365 182nd Avenue NW, Elk River, stated he is the applicant's father-in-law. He <br /> stated the machinery that has been mentioned is his and will be moved, with the exception of one <br /> semitrailer which belongs to Mr. Hillman, after the completion of a pole shed in Litchfield where <br /> his farm is. He stated the large grain trucks are on the gravel. He reiterated that they are a small <br /> business that started out in a two-car garage. <br /> Charles Lattery, 17646 St. Francis Boulevard, stated he has seen the operation and felt the run off <br /> that would occur would be similar to what would be generated by homeowner with a woodworking <br /> shop. He felt the manufacturing process was small and only included cardboard boxes. He rejected <br /> the claims that traffic accidents would increase due to this business, noise complaints, or the <br /> number of deliveries. He questioned the proposed requirement to install a fire suppression system <br /> and suggested fire extinguishers instead. He felt the small business should be allowed. <br /> Ron Trail, 6025 Green Valley Road, stated he lives next to the applicant and the county road where <br /> he lives is very busy. He stated the previous owner had horses that caused run off into his property <br /> and the creek which needed to be addressed. He felt the previous owner cause more trouble than <br /> the Mr. Hillman. He stated he saw normal activity for someone living on a ten acre lot and <br /> challenged the concerns with noise, semi-truck traffic, and the storage facility. He felt it has <br /> become a better place after the previous owner left. <br /> Desiree Hillman, 6131 Green Valley Road, the applicant's wife, stated he has been running the <br /> business since he was 18 and it is still a small business. She stated the website says it is a world- <br /> wide business simply for promotion. She showed some of the cardboard dividers and boxes they <br /> produce, stating it is to fill 1,000 piece orders for larger companies and her children help with the <br /> assembly. She stated they have been doing it for 25 years without a fire or other hazards. She <br /> stated she is being harassed and judged by the neighbors. She stated some of the equipment has <br /> been used for needed landscape improvements. <br /> Arnie Cox, 6001 177th Lane NW, stated he lives on the backside of Mr. Hillman's property and <br /> knew the previous owner. He stated his father and friends have been self-employed and paid real <br /> estate taxes. He felt HOP businesses should be made commercial properties and have to pay the <br /> share that is in the commercial area. He questioned why the previous owner was allowed to build <br /> the over-sized building and stated he didn't feel businesses should be in residential areas. <br /> Deb Kemp, 6003 178th Lane NW, stated she is in the process of selling her house. She stated this <br /> is the second large commercial business within 350 feet of each other, neither one wanting to add <br /> fire suppression in a neighborhood that includes children. She stated she didn't move to the <br /> neighborhood to be around businesses. She is having difficulty selling her home because of the <br /> commercial businesses in the neighborhood. She felt his business was too big and expressed <br /> concern with the flammability of the cardboard. <br /> Kelly Schmidt responded to the statements by Ms. Hillman that she has been harassing the family <br /> and that the pictures she has shared also belong to someone. <br /> City Council/May 10, 2022 <br /> Page 11 of 18 <br />