Lino Lakes Ledger
Church Project Arouses Neighbors' Ire
What was expected to be a simple council vote to allow the Russian Baptist Church an additional time extension to complete work on its building, located on Ash Street, didn't turn out that way. Frustrated Circle Pines residents, whose homes back onto the church site, disagreed with staff 's estimates that an extension to November 1, 2008 should be suffi cient time for completion of the project.
Resident Mike Kula weighed in on what he termed inadequate landscaping and buff ering and suggested that the church never properly obtained a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other permits required for construction.
"This is the third time you're being asked to extend this permit," he said. "I don't think that's the way neighbors should treat each other."
The original site and building plans and Conditional Use Permit were approved in 2002. The first extension was granted in 2003. A second time extension and site improvement performance agreement, providing financial security in case the building was not completed, were approved in 2005. Late in 2005, the partially-erected roof trusses collapsed, injuring three workers.
Community Development Director Michael Grochala said that the church has recently hired a firm to handle the permitting process, and that a permit from Rice Creek Watershed District has been obtained. Council moved to table the issue to its next work session of Sept. 5.
In other action, the council:
. Pledged support for improving the accessibility of the Centennial Fire Station #2, Voting Precinct No. 2, in conjunction with a grant application for same.
. Approved an Off -Site Gambling and Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for the Lino Lakes Lions Club Annual Pheasant Feed on Sept. 29.
. Approved a development agreement and fi nal plat for Golden Acre Residential Subdivision at 547 Lois Lane.
. Accepted a donation toward costs of the safety camp from Lexington Firefi ghters Relief Association in the amount of $2,000.
. Accepted a donation from Target in the amount of $500 toward National Night Out activities.
. Accepted a donation in the amount of $250 from Final Stretch, Inc. in thanks for law enforcement efforts on behalf of the athletes participating in the Northern Lakes Run.
. Accepted a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for $15,000 to purchase three in-squad cameras.
. Accepted a $20,200 Public Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division grant to start up a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. The program will educate the public about disaster preparedness.
. Approved the renewal of the Youth Resource Officer Service Agreement with the Centennial School District for the 2007/08 school year. The city's cost is $90,754.56.
. Approved Resolution No. 07-127, allowing the Lino Lakes Police Department to participate in the Safe and Sober project from October 1 to September 30, 2008. The initiative is through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the grant "will focus on aggressive drivers and seat belt use," according to Chief Dave Pecchia.
. With its second reading, adopted Ordinance No. 09-07, the 2007 Minnesota State Building Code, also adopting therewith Chapter 1306, Special Fire Protection Systems Option 1306.0020, Subpart 2, requiring that when additions are made to unsprinklered buildings, the buildings be retrofi tted with sprinkler systems.
. Adopted Ordinance No. 10-07, adopting the 2007 State Fire Code.
. Approved a $7,000 Minnesota Releaf grant agreement through the Department of Natural Resources, which underwrites some residents' costs of tree removal due to oak wilt.