Proposed Construction At The Corner Of Union and Ranch:
                1 Church Complex
                4 Single Family Church Houses
                4 Duplex Church Houses
                12 Housing Total Housing Units

The meeting stated with an introduction to the planning process by Larry Larsen.  The 10 acres in question is being rezoned from PUD to PUD.  The differences are that the number of units proposed from the original zoning is different and that the area is being subdivided.  There must be two formal hearing for a zoning change.  The first is in front of the Planning Commission and the second is before the City Council.  At either hearing, a large number of voters turning out will have an impact on the resulting decision.

Next, the church relocation committee gave a brief description of their proposed construction details.  It would include a 25,000 foot church complex that would be built in stages and located at the south end of the existing meadow.  The parking lot would include 150 spaces for a maximum church attendance of 600.  They would follow city codes on how many trees and what the property needed to look like.

A fairly lengthy discussion followed on the water problems commonly know to residents of the area.  These problems come from two sources.  First, ground water is only 8 feet below the surface and most residents think it is shallower than that.  Second, water from Union routinely floods the property.  The church was unaware of the water problems.

Another big concern is the potential traffic problems created as church members travel through the neighborhood to get in and out of the church.  A city traffic engineer was present and there is consideration of possible round-abouts being placed at key intersections of the neighborhood.

Finally, most of the participants were very concerned with the construction of housing units on the corner of Ranch and Union.  These units will be 4 single family and 4 duplex units.  They are being built by church members as a separate sub-division in order to finance the churches purchase of the land.  They would have a separate curb cut on Ranch.  Estimated cost for the units was placed at $230,000.

After the formal meeting, a number of us met with church members in a constructive discussion on possible options.  Of particular interest is a proposal for the church to relocate to the corner area with approximately 3 acres of land.  The TOPS proposal would then be responsible for the remaining 7 acres of land at a proposed price of $180,000.  This amount of funding would be considerably easier to work through the political system than the original $550,000.

The church and their relocation committee seem very sincere about wishing to work with the neighborhood and come to a common solution.  A joint effort between the neighborhood TOPS project and the church may be the best way to proceed and get everyone most of their goals.  Further discussions will be held on the subject.

Please feel free to contact me at 598-6106 with any question or comments regarding this project.

Scot Hume