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At the Monday council meeting a neighbor asked that the developer rotate a planned home so they didn’t have a view of garage doors.  I see this as a unfair complaint since it could have easily been addressed by agreement when they purchased their property, now after the fact they are asking for us to step in and force this on another land owner.  Further adding to the hypocrisy of this request is the fact that immediately across the a detached garage was built, a fence was erected, and the garage door already faces the very same homeowner.  All of these violate the standards that neighbors are trying to force on the new development.  I asked about this and the response was this was OK because the neighbors approved it.  Needless to say we are not going to force the developer to redesign a home so that the garage door does not face a home…

We had a few complaints at the Monday council meeting about grading at Orchard Hills Villas so I went to check it out.  Per our permit grading has to be to the level of adjoining lands there the property line is at.  I verified that this has been done.  There was also concern that the Homes would be up to high.  Based on what I found and the picture here, you can see that the elevation of the home is both just fine, and complies with our special district.

There have been a number of concerns raised about how work is being done at Orchard Hills Villas.  In addition, an ethics complaint was filed.  I will not comment on that complaint while it is progress.  I will say that I am grateful that we now have an independent ethics commission that can address these complaints.  The person who filed this complaint also previously filed a complaint that was thrown out dismissed. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a piece that I wrote for fellow young elected officials on trying to get job creation via PACE loans.

http://www.yeonetwork.org/content/yeo-frontline-news-job-creation-wojcik Read the rest of this entry »

Here is an update, nothing but street tree compromise.

More information continues to come forward about our development process.  I believe that there are improvements to be made, but the Dorfman report remains an absolute joke.  It was a good move by our permitting task force to immediate throw it out.  Here was a note we received.

Dear Task Force Members-

I wanted to take this opportunity to offer my insight in working with city staff on development projects related to the University of Minnesota. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are the gory details of the compromise struck in a smoke [stack ribs] filled room.  Despite a few complaints the citizen initiated policy is popular, effective, and badly needed.  Developers wanted more flexibility and got it.  Citizens wanted strong scientific based standards, and they were maintained.  I presented some background information and listed 4 points of agreement. Read the rest of this entry »

I also sent out this same letter via email.  Here is what I wrote:

Dear Rochester Pedestrian, Cyclist, or Supporter,

If you are receiving this note directly from me, it is because you have contacted me on pedestrian / bicycle issue, are a part of the local growing cycling community, or your name was given to me.  I intend to use this network as issues come up.  I will not spam your inboxes but will send action alerts.  If you do not want to be involved in our collective efforts, let me know and I will remove you from my list. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is the video, you can watch the entire video online at www.rochestermn.gov  I shortened the 1 hour discussion to about 14 minutes.  You can hear how the council is willing to compromise.  My guess it that we should expect tree lined streets and trails with visibility openings for signage when all is said and done.

• Northwest Investments is a different business than Kwik Trip, but is the same ownership group.  Kwik Trip has done a pretty responsible job in Rochester.  I’d love to see more urban designs in our city core and less of those ugly plastic signs in the boulevard, but as gas stations go they are as good as anyone.
• It is important to realize that the city council did not weaken our standards, but development has gone ahead anyway.
• There is some discussion about 35 ft. standards for commercial developments vs. 50 ft. for residential; this is actually the the same standard.  Staff studied this and found that a 50 ft. standard in residential area equates to the very same recommended 35 ft. due to increased utilities and curb cuts.
• Mayo and Menards have also come forward with developments and have no expressed any concern with the tree standards.

There are two fundamental views of economic development.  First you can try to be as cheap as possible with low standards, low wages, poor benefits, heavy subsidies, and no quality of life.  Many southern states have tried this strategy and have poor education, environment, healthcare, and quality of life.  It is a never ending race to the bottom.

The other way is to try to compete by being the best you can be and being a place where people want to or need to locate.  This is perfect or Rochester because we have unique skills, resources, and businesses.  One of the best ways to do this is a concept called placemaking. Read the rest of this entry »