HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-01 Sr. Housing Partners Ltr to OPHDim
TO: Kris Danielson
CC. Allen Black
Dan L in dh
FROM: Ken Flo o ge
RE: Oak Park Heights neighborhood meetings
DATE: April 1, 2002
Valley Senior Services Alliance and Senior Housing artners held two meetings g � g with the
neighbors surrounding Boutwells Landing on Monday, March 18 and March 25.
Approximately 20 people attended the two meetings at Boutwells Landing. They
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represented neighbors to the south of 5 8th street and the ro osed linear ark south of
p P park,
McKean Square .Bast and west, west of McKean. Square west and west of the existing
town homes.
Adult neighbors and their children were in full agreement that the refreshments were
outstanding. On other issues there were a diversity of opinions,
0 Concerns about the pond in the linear park adding o water p roblems
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0 D not want a trail i the li near park, prefer to use the sidewalk on 58 St.
0 Concer about the driveway to the 11 Town h omes south of 58"' St. and th e
possibility that headlights will shine into homes
0 Concerns about the height and visibility of the 100 unit apartment building
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0 Concerns about the height and visibility of the 11 o unit hide endent Living
building
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0 Neighbors southwest of McKean Square west desire an adequate buffer be
. q between
their homes and the new buildings. Additional trees in p lanted in their . P b ackyards
would be satisfactory
® Future development should mim*m the d isrup tion to existing wetlands an
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vegetation
0 Concerns were raised about the density of develop in the CBD and th
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impact on traffic and property values.
i widespread interest and support for the proposed nature area on McKean E
. ast
0 widespread appreciation of the existing and ro osed trails stem and its
p p y
availabity to neighbors
Interest in having the McKean Square E ast trails stem connected to the .
. Y e ex� sting
street to facilitate access
0 Interest expressed in the development .
p t of the old school and. church
0 Appreciation for attempts to minim d isruption to the topography b u
. p Y sing a
variety of housing types
Mayor Beaudet attended the second meeting and addressed the neighbors with
background on city issues and some of his personal views.
0 Identified the current Oak Park Heights boundary lines
0 Indicated that the street lighting at Boutwells landing was at a higher level than is
typical and that the city will seek to secure an agreement to have electricity costs
paid by Boutwells Landing
® In response to a question about trails not being plowed, the mayor indicated that
the city did not have the proper equipment and that Boutwells Landing should
take responsibility for plowing
® Raised concerns about the city General Fund balance and budget concerns for city
operations
i Stated that the current fund in the Park budget is around $3 00,000 and that it
would take approximately $200,000 to acquire the linear park south of 58 St.
0 A. resident of Boutwells stated that a park shelter 1s desired. The mayor stated that
a shelter in not in the Parks Department budget.
0 Stated that the current pristine wetlands in Boutwells Landing will be destroyed in
the next several years due to lacy of buffering and landscaping
0 Stated that he is on the St. Croix wMa and will address water issues expressed
by a Baytown Township resident
Proposed that the present city park should be abandoned and rebuilt on land to the
south, which is proposed for development. The proposed 110 unit Independent
Living building should be constructed on the site of the current city park