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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 02-21 Neighbors skeptical about wetlands future THE REVIEW p Neighbors ske tical q,,, q, about wetlands future NN, By MELANIE WAAGE didn't want more."I had to put in my ownN pump to drain the area,and I have a suitl A public hearing to discuss a against you guys right now because you preliminary plat for Radatz Ave. and wouldn't put the pumps in," Leko said White Bear Ave.brought many neighbors "When I hear them talking about to the Feb. 15 Maplewood council building on that land, it's a joke to con- meeting. sider building," a resident of 29 years REALTY DEVELOPMENT SER- said. "It's wet and always has been wet. VICES is proposing a project to build 57 There's other acreage in town,why have apartment units called eight-plexes by the they chosen this area?" developers.Each unit would contain eight apartments. The property they are "LIKE I'VE said before, you get your proposing the project for is currently neighbors together,collect the money and undeveloped. Area residents are con- buy the lot and we'll make it a park," cerned about the use of wetlands for Mayor John Greavu said. "We'll keep it building,and the added traffic flow in the that way. But we can't afford it. Those area. fellows rightfully bought the land and I The developers explained their use of don't want them to send us to court." i the land to the council. They emphasized The mayor explained that they couldn't I their attempts to maintain the ap- keep putting people off of their own pearance of a neighborhood. Almost all property. And, he explained, approval of present oak trees will remain. There will the preliminary plat wasn't the end. be a main street in the complex and all There will be a public hearing as to the units will be accessible from that. There costs of improvement to Radatz Ave. are plans for two tot lots, enclosed gar- before development will be approved. bage receptacles and screening of Since the project is consistent with the parking areas.The wetlands are to be left city's comprehensive plan, and the units natural and untouched, according to the are in scale, design and location corn- planners. patible to adjacent single family homes, The Soil Conservation Service reviewed the preliminary planned unit was ap- this proposal and recommended ap- proved by all. proval, subject to certain conditions. Area resident Bob Campbell asked to be But area residents, mainly owners of alerted to any action taken and was property to the north of the project, chosen spokesperson. displayed concern over the use of the In other action, the city council gave wetlands for apartments. authorization to apply for a grant for "MY CONCERN is over the view I'm police radio upgrading. The cost to the going to get from my back window,"Bob city would be six units at approximately Campbell, 1806 Radatz Ave, said. He $2,000 each. But, with the federal grant doesn't want to see garages and cars from paying 90 per cent and state paying 5 per his yard. But, City Planner Geoff Olson, cent,the net cost per unit should be$100, explained that the project proposal was for a total of$600. well within the limits of where to place Also approved was authorization for an garages plus they had plans for a buffer alcoholism and drug abuse program. zone with some vegetation. Lloyd Soderberg, community industrial Leo Rademacher, 1910 Radatz Ave., coordinator at St. John's Hospital, has expressed concern about traffic flow and indicated that he will implement an lighting. "We already get lighting from employee program for Maplewood at no Maplewood Mall and more lights could be charge. This would include training of a problem," Rademacher said. supervisory personnel and assistance in Still another concern was the drainage writing policy and procedures.Diagnostic problem.Richard Leko,1890 Radatz Ave., and referral services would be provided complained that he had been putting up at no charge, but treatment costs would with drainage problems for years, and be the employee's responsibility.