Minutes - Council - 10/09/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dan Jacobs, 13740 Dolomite Street, stated that his property is directly behind this site and would welcome a Jiffy Lube before they would welcome the rental units that are proposed, Councilmember Elvig clarified that these are not rental units, but twin home units that will sell for $250,000 to $300,000. Mr. Jacobs stated that with a Jiffy Lube, the City would have controls on the property that they would not with the proposed use. He stated that Mr. Holm, the previous owner of Super Bowl had a junkyard behind his property, but the new owner has been the best neighbor imaginable. He stated the neighbors are not turned off by the idea of a commercial business because they understood that this property was zoned commercial when they purchased their property. Rich Wolens, 6726 137th Avenue, stated that he had been a resident of Ramsey for 19 years and has concerns about town homes, in general. He showed the City Council examples of town homes in the City that are supposed to be $250,000 and $265,000 homes that were being sold for $145,000 and rental signs are popping up all over. He showed pictures of the home ~eing built next to his property, that is about 11 feet from this site, as well as pictures ofhornes that are 100, 200 and 300 feet away from this property. He stated that the homes are between $300,000 and $1,000,000 and are some of the nicest homes in the City. He stated that to put this type of development by these homes would be a travesty. He stated that he feels a past City Council was hoodwinked into allowing a triple X bookstore that the community did not want. He stated that he is a former Spring Lake Park Councilmember and urged the City Council to do what they were elected to do and listen to the people. He stated that it is very clear that the people do not want this development. Councilmember Dehen asked what the front yard footage is for the home being built south of the property and what the Murphy property frontage amount is. Associate Planner Geisler stated that the lot is 90 feet wide and the home is approximately 70 feet wide and the Murphy property is 244 feet of total frontage. Councilmember Dehen asked what Councilmember Elvig meant when he stated that it would not be financially feasible to build single family homes on this property. ~ Councilmember Elvig stated that there were some assessments added to this property for improvements that were about $60,000. He stated that he understands this is not the problem of the City Council, however the residents have stated that they do not want this proposal. He stated that the City cannot control what type of commercial use would move onto the property. He stated that it could be anything from a bar/restaurant, to a Jiffy Lube, to potentially an adult book store. He stated that the City does not have full control and Places to Work is Places to Work. The residents spoke from their seats and noted that they would support anything but town homes on this land. City Council /October 9, 2007 Page 10 of25