2023.02.23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Ms. Tilden questioned if the City has been in communication with the school district. She feared how the Mounds View School District would be impacted by the amount of children that would be living in the proposed high density residential. Ms. Hendrickson asked who determined how high a building could be. Felicia Givens, 742 7th Avenue NW, stated she lives by the new Midtown Village building. She commented on how her neighborhood changed and stated she was concerned with how the additional mixed use neighborhoods would impact New Brighton. She reported there has been an increase in crime, break-ins and trespassing. She questioned how the City would work to mitigate these concerns. Joni Metz, 2423 Mounds Avenue, explained she did not like the idea of mixed use housing close to where she lived. She indicated she was worried about increased traffic and crime. She encouraged the City to reconsider these plans because she did not want her property value impacted. Mr. Becker stated everyone who spoke has been against this change. He questioned what residents could do to try and bring about a change to the plans. Ms. Triden asked if the City was going to respond to the questions being raised at this meeting. She anticipated the City would need more schools and more policing if this plan were to move forward. Mr. Vassel questioned if a traffic study had been completed for the proposed areas taking into consideration the proposed zoning changes. He anticipated there would be more pedestrians and more traffic within each of these mixed use zoning districts. He believed it would benefit all of the residents if a more clear picture was painted as to what was meant by high density housing. Chris Steadman, unstated address on Mississippi Street, explained he moved back to New Brighton after growing up in this community. He encouraged the Commission to hear the voices of the residents regarding the multi-unit/ high density residential developments. He indicated these residents were not opposed to change, but rather were opposed to changing the culture and character of New Brighton. He stated studies do show that the more units in a building, the higher crime gets. He thanked the Commission for hearing the concerns of the public this evening. Ms. Givens commented on how the City promised the Midtown Village was supposed to improve the City’s tax base. She noted each year since these developments were completed her taxes have continued to increase. Motion by Commissioner McQuillan, seconded by Commissioner Nelsen to close the Public Hearing at 7:27 p.m.