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<br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />residents over the past two years that New Brighton was in need of additional housing, especially <br />senior housing. <br />Ms. Smith inquired if there were other locations in the City that housing density could be added. <br />Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola reviewed a map of the City and <br />pointed out the areas of the City that were guided for Mixed Use Neighborhood. <br />Mr. Nelson encouraged the Planning Commissioners and City Councilmembers to represent the <br />residents of New Brighton and not the wishes of the Met Council. He commented on how increased <br />density would bring more crime into the community while also decreasing property values. He <br />recommended his neighborhood and the surrounding properties remain R-1 and that action on the <br />rezoning of the interchange property be tabled. <br />Ron Finney, Sr., 821 7th Avenue NW, stated his home was 650 feet from the proposed redevelopment. <br />He explained he has lived in his home for the past 48 years and he has a vested interest in several <br />homes on the block. He indicated he did not receive a notification letter from the City even though he <br />was only nine houses from the proposed redevelopment. He reported his family has lived in New <br />Brighton since 1897. He expressed frustration with the City’s notification process and encouraged the <br />Commission to pay attention to the comments and concerns that were being raised by the residents in <br />attendance. <br />Chris Gonzalez, 772 8th Avenue, asked how the City defined Mixed Use. Assistant Director of <br />Community Assets and Development Gozola described how the City defined Mixed Use Regional and <br />Mixed Use Neighborhood. It was noted Mixed Use Regional was more of a combination of commercial <br />and residential development, while Mixed Use Neighborhood was more residential in nature with <br />some commercial. <br />Mr. Gonzalez commented staff keeps stating the City did not have an option but to rezone this <br />property in order to align with the Comprehensive Plan. He inquired if this action was just a rubber <br />stamp. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola explained the Comprehensive <br />Plan was a guiding document for the City and provided oversight for future redevelopment projects <br />over the next 10 years. He commented the rezoning was the technical process the City had to follow in <br />order to align the Comprehensive Plan with the City’s zoning districts. <br />Mr. Gonzalez questioned if the City was breaking the law if the rezonings were not approved. Assistant <br />Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola stated the City would be once the new plan <br />was brought into effect. He commented the City would have nine months to bring itself into <br />compliance with the new plan. <br />Mr. Gonzalez requested action on this item be tabled for several months to give the neighbors time to <br />review the project. <br />City Council Liaison Burg explained the rezoning was a matter of process. She reported the community <br />has been obtaining input for the Comprehensive Plan over the past two years through neighborhood <br />meetings, website tools, booths at Stockyard Days, and through other community events. She <br />suggested the feedback gained from the public be brought forward for the neighbors to review. She