Minutes - Planning Commission - 05/07/1996 - Public Hearing @ 7:55

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Daryl Cadwell, 7341 154th Lane N.W. - noted he has lived at his address (which is adjacent to the subject property) for 26 years, and he agreed with everything his neighbors stated. He questioned what recourse they have, as it appears there is none. He advised that his property is going up for sale, and so property value is his main concern. They are only asking fair market value. He stated he is trying to remain neutral regarding the home, however, if decreased property value isn't a factor, what recourse is there if the home doesn't sell? Mr. Fitzpatrick advised that about the only recourse is the Legislature. Mr. Cadwell asserted that he does not oppose foster care, however, he questioned the need to increase to eight. Mr. Fitzpatrick again stated that there is a limited number of conditions that can be imposed and very limited findings to be made, if any, to deny this based on State Statute. Mr. Cadwell questioned, "Where do our rights come in?" Mr. Fitzpatrick reiterated the only recourse is through the Legislature. Mr. Cadwell stated, "I don't have time; I am putting my house up for sale in two weeks." Commissioner Jensen, having been a realtor, also questioned whether it was legal not citing the location of the home and its use. Rick Christian, 7330 155th Avenue N.W. - stated "It seems strange we have to keep going through this all the time. What is our City going to do for us? We would like to have someone represent us. He could work is way around the neighborhood. He could buy the house next door. Is this going to be tolerated? With six being a handful, what's eight going to be? Those boys seem to be getting younger, and the applicant is not. I don't think there's really a big enough area being provided for those boys, they need room to expand. The applicant comes across like he has a 40-acre farm, when there's really no more than about 1.28 acres. There's a swimming pool in the backyard, a dog kennel, trees. Is the City going to fight for their ordinances or are our ordinances worthless? I think he's biting off more than he can chew." Bonnie Cadwell, 7341 154th Lane N.W. - addressed the issue of caring for the boys. She stated the applicant allows them to target shoot, and they also play basketball at midnight which is very disturbing. She also questioned how the septic system could possibly handle eight boys. She stated that the man who came to pump out her septic told him the applicant's system is not working. She questioned whether she, as a realtor, must disclose what is going on next door when trying to sell her home. She intends to refer to it as a family living next door, and wonders whether she will get into trouble for not disclosing it as a group home licensed by the Dept. of Corrections. She commented that the applicant moved in stating they were a family of five boys, and there is animosity because this was not disclosed up front. She concluded that a residence as such is there, no matter what the District Court says, belongs on a multi-acre farm; it doesn't belong in a family neighborhood. Applicant Patrick McLafferty stated he is at the house most of the time, and he is available to talk to. He pointed out that when he bought the house for a little over $90,000 it was mn-down and a detriment to the whole neighborhood. He pointed out that he painted, put on a new roof, put in a new driveway, put in shrubbery, and added a 2400 square foot addition. He stated he came to City Hall before doing such and explained what he was doing---"Why in the world would I want 8 bedrooms?" He stated that two weeks before he was done with the project and $120,000 later, people got in an uproar. He pointed out that Mr. Cadwell is paying taxes on his home for $72,000 yet is listing it at $159,000, and a woman down the street is selling her home for $139,000 when she only paid $74,000. Members of the audience expressed disagreement with this information. Public Hearing/Planning Commission/May 7, 1996 Page 3 of 11