Memo - The Blake School Neighborhood MeetingPlanning & Economic
Development
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable MayoVandHo kins City Council Members
FROM: Kersten Elverumof Planning & Development
DATE: June 18, 2009
SUBJECT: The Blake School Neighborhood Meeting
As you know, a neighborhood meeting to discuss The Blake School's desire to expand
their campus through the incorporation of several Harrison Avenue properties is
scheduled for June 23, 2009, at Harley Hopkins. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm. The
space has been reserved until 9:00 pm.
The meeting, as currently planned, will begin with a welcome from Mayor Maxwell. I
will then give a PowerPoint presentation that will cover the following:
• Agenda overview
• Status of the lots purchased by The Blake School and the proposed additional lots
to be acquired
• Overview of The Blake School Master Plan including the two options they are
considering for the Harrison/alley property. Those two options are storm water
retention pond and a maintenance /bus facility
• Overview of the site issues including existing residential zoning and existing 16"
water line in the alley
• Other related issues including the Habitat for Humanity lots and their tentative
agreement with Blake to construct the first home on an alternate Harrison Avenue
lot as well as the access off 1 St Street (current restrictions and future Blake plans)
• Overview of the timeline for discussions and potential enactment of the agreed
upon plan
• Statement of the City's position emphasizing that only preliminary discussions
have taken place, the importance of protecting our neighborhoods (as identified in
the Comprehensive Plan) and goals of constructing replacement housing,
accommodating Habitat for Humanity, preserving our tax base and minimizing
the impact on the neighborhood
The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period where City staff,
Blake School and Habitat for Humanity representatives will be available, as well as the
City Council if you so choose. The residents will then be asked to complete comment
cards and asked to indicate what elements of the discussion are acceptable and what are
not.
If you have any comments on the proposed framework for this discussion, please let Rick
Getschow or me know prior to the meeting.