2017.07.18 Planning - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Planning Director Gundlach reported the traffic counts proposed by staff were for a typical office building that was being fully utilized. She stated it appears the applicants are going to use approximately half of the office building and would have less traffic than was estimated by staff. Roger Jenson, 383 Cleveland Avenue SW, appreciated the services provided by Provident Home Health Care. He stated he has lived in his home since 1980 and has seen his neighborhood change over the years. He discussed the property across the street from him noting it was rezoned to commercial. This property was now on its third owner. He feared that if the proposed rezoning were approved, the traffic in his neighborhood would be greatly impacted. He commented on the speed of traffic along Cleveland Avenue and the lack of police presence. He explained that I-35W was proposed for improvements and anticipated that many cars would spill over onto Cleveland Avenue during the four years of construction. He requested the Commission deny the rezoning of the proposed property due to the many traffic and safety concerns. Councilmember Strub stated he would be in contact with the Public Safety Commission regarding Mr. Jenson’s concerns. Kathy Koske, 201 Cleveland Avenue, stated she has lived in her home since 1971. She explained she did not oppose Rick’s Roofing being at this location but would have strong concerns with Provident Home Health Care being located across the street from her home. She questioned how the Planning Commission would feel if a commercial use were to locate across the street from their homes. She commented on the high speed and large volumes of traffic using Cleveland Avenue. She encouraged the Planning Commission to deny the applicant’s request. Beverly Johnson, 229 Cleveland Avenue, recommended that the Commission keep the home at 256 Cleveland Avenue zoned residential in order to keep the quality of life in tact for the existing homeowners. She commented on the investment she and her neighbors have made in their homes and feared how this would be adversely impacted if a two-story brick office building were to move into the neighborhood. She stated this really mattered to her neighbors given the fact they have been living in the community for the past 30 years. She understood Rick was operating a roofing company out of this home previously, but stated the impact on the neighbors was minimal. She commented that this would all be undone if a two-story brick building were put on this property. Commissioner Frischman asked if staff had any livability details for the Commission. Planning Director Gundlach stated she met with the owner of Rick’s Roofing to review a subdivision concept for single-family, which would have created three new homes. This property has been on the market for quite some time, but never developed. Commissioner Fynewever questioned if there were office buildings located along Cleveland Avenue. Planning Director Gundlach reported there were several office buildings zoned B-1 for office on Cleveland Avenue to the south of this property, but noted there were none to the north. Chairperson Nichols-Matkaiti requested further information regarding the landscaping plan. Planning Director Gundlach reviewed the landscaping plan with the Commission, noting the applicant was proposing to plant 18 new trees. She provided further comment on the B-1 Business District and the required setbacks for this zoning district.