I am a first time contributor to this forum.
I just cant seem to give up keeping the spotlight on Klodt Development and the Hiawatha Flats project that has caused so much concern in many neighborhoods along light rail and the Longfellow Corridor. The Planning Commission recently denied Klodts request for a P.U.D. in addition to their site plan. Klodt has filed an appeal that will be heard by Zoning & Planning on December 15, 2005 at 9:30 am. Additionally, the R-5 zoning change requested and approved still needs to be voted on. This is not final! So much of the Hiawatha Flats project seems out of place. Its massive size and length, its aesthetics, its inwardly facing facades that seem to exclude, not include it in the community and it is so very different that what was envisioned in the 46th St. Master Plan adopted by the City of Minneapolis. In my view, there has been so much that doesnt seem right about how this project was massaged through the process in the city and the under the radar approach that Klodt Development took in regards to obtaining community input and involvement and finally, where our council person, Ms. Colvin-Roy stands on the issue of Hiawatha Flats. Ms. Roy has been unusually silent and non-committal on this major development issue. Does she support it or not? Could part of this silence and implied neutrality be the result of campaign contributions received from individuals employed by Klodt and its contractors,? What say you, Ms. Colvin-Roy? When you cast your vote in the final step, will it be representative of your constituents or of Klodt Development? Obviously campaign finance practices need some practical review and reform, but that is an issue for another day and another post. And lets not leave Klodt out of the mix. Klodt approached our community meetings as if we were wasting their time. I recall one pointed question posed to John Bell, (Klodts representative) at the L.C.C.s second community meeting on the flats project. A woman from the audience asked Is this a done deal?, to which Mr. Bell replied, This will happen. Wheres the process here? Dont we have a voice on how our community evolves? I care deeply about this proposed project and the negative impact I believe it will have on the community if it is built the way it is currently proposed. I ask that our city council members look closely at Hiawatha Flats and that you hear the voices of the community whether it is in e-mail, phone messages or postings such as this. Hiawatha Flats needs to be fixed before it can be called ready. M. Brady Hiawatha Resident REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
