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Diem said he would comment on Garner’s concern the congregation could not support the church. All the <br />buildings built by the New Apostolic Church are financed with cash. There are no mortgages on any of their <br />buildings in the world. <br /> <br />Nancy Kessler, 1001 2nd Street NW, said she was concerned about the parking lot. Kessler said she <br />understood there were 100 families in the congregation. Now it seems there are 125 families. Diem responded <br />there were 125 people and the average attendance is forty people. Kessler said she was concerned 40 people <br />could support a church. Baker said that question was not part of the land use issue. Kessler said her biggest <br />concern was the parking. <br /> <br />Diem showed Kessler the 10th Avenue NW area on the plan. Diem said that there was a sanitary sewer line <br />on the property with an easement. The easement says nothing can be built over the easement. That limits the <br />size of the building that could build on that lot. The Rice Creek Watershed District requires the 100-foot <br />flood plain be dealt with. The plain is measured from the center of the creek. The amount of usable property <br />is small. Therefore, even if the lot were split and sold, there would be no more traffic than there is now. <br /> <br />Kessler said she was concerned that the dead end not be opened and that no traffic could come in through 2nd <br />Street. What happens if the church lot overflows? There is no place to park on 2nd Street. Would they walk <br />down the dead end into the property? Kessler stated it is an area of small, single family homes and there are <br />many children. Kessler stated increased traffic would be a concern. <br /> <br />Baker pointed out that the proposed parking is adequate and exceeds the requirements. <br /> <br />Kessler asked if the congregation lived in New Brighton. Diem responded the congregation lives in New <br />Brighton and adjoining areas. Garner said they were really concerned about the parking and traffic. Off-street <br />parking is a real concern. <br /> <br />Baker stated that, if someone developed this site using an R-2 zoning, there would be more parking and <br />traffic than a church would generate. This is zoned R-2, so that would be a real possibility. A developer could <br />develop the lot under the R-2 zoning without holding a public hearing. <br /> <br />Bruce Bates, 961 2nd Street NW, said he had three concerns. Parking is number one. Bates said he had heard <br />some guest congregations would be coming to the area. Bates said he worked for the City of White Bear Lake <br />where he manages the Sports Center and is familiar with parking lots. However, parking always exceeds what <br />is expected. Bates said he was concerned about waking up Sunday morning and finding people parking in <br />front of his house. Bates said his neighborhood was extremely quiet except for the Bell Pole Company. We <br />have to listen to the truck noise until 10:00 p.m. Bates said he was concerned about noise, weddings, bells <br />tolling, and people being outside the church. He was also concerned about lighting. Bates said he had a large <br />oak tree in his backyard that has to be taken down. Therefore, the entire backyard would be opened up to the <br />church. Bates stated he was concerned about the landscaping. Bates said he hoped the City Forester would be <br />contacted. Bates said those were his concerns. He hopes they are addressed so the neighbors do not have to <br />come back to the City and complain about noise and light. A luminosity test is extremely important. <br /> <br />P.5A-0N.M <br />Motion by Baker, seconded by Schiferl, <br />TO CLOSE THE UBLIC HEARING YES AYS OTION <br />C. <br /> <br />ARRIED <br /> <br />Baker stated, concerning the parking, this site has adequate parking. The parking must meet the requirement <br />of the Code and this site meets those requirements. <br /> <br />Kessler said she was more concerned about the people coming to the church. Where are they going to come <br />from? Old Hwy 8? There is a four-way stop there and it is really busy. <br /> <br />I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1997\10-21-97.WPD <br />13 <br /> <br />