For those who do not know, last night the proposed Elroy site developers did NOT get approval from the Planning Commission for the "Conditional Use Plan" they had submitted. The matter has been carried over while several issues including "Ownership" are being "Investigated" for the Planning Commission.
The City Planner was not only surprised by the fact that " Conditions" on the title clouded title to the property, but seemed genuinely confused about what "Conditions on a Deed" even meant. It was hard to determine who the "Planner" worked for because he kept looking to the applicant (Basim Sabri) for information on the matter to present to the Commission. Perhaps the City should clarify to the staff exactly who they work for, as well as educate them on "beginning real estate law". It probably is not good form to recommend zoning changes on property until title questions to that property are at least acknowledged. And hopefully resolved! Gary Schiff has occasionally been criticized for "Out Planning the Planners". While it was originally leveled as negative criticism, I am not so sure it is not a very good thing. Last night Gary certainly was "out planning" them, and I am sure the City of Minneapolis is better off for it. It was very apparent that Gary had done some real homework on the subject with the City Attorney and Plan Review. His knowledge of the Greenway, and clear intent to protect it was also commendable. So as an absolutely POSITIVE criticism, last night Gary Schiff clearly out planned the "Planners". I laughed with Marion (a Whittier Neighborhood person) that as Gary spoke one minute you wanted to strangle him and the next to kiss him. He very much seemed to know what was going on, and very much was looking out for the interests of Minneapolis. Last night Paul Ostrow was also at the Planning Commission to support one of his neighborhood's efforts. I leaned over and commented to him, just as I had three years before, how impressed I was that he cared enough to be at the Planning Commission when a project in his ward was being considered. Paul is one of the few who do this. I never remember a Council Member representing my ward attending a Planning Commission meeting. I am sure it happened sometime, but not on behalf of the neighborhoods in my memory. Isn't it nice to be able to say something good about some of our City Council Members. My recent experiences with Barb Johnson, Don Samuels, Scott Benson, and now Gary Schiff have impressed me with the care they give to their jobs. (Not that I do not sometimes disagree with them.) Jim Graham, Ventura Village, Phillips Community Planning District, 6th Ward of the City of Minneapolis >"It is always an utter folly to underestimate the lure and attraction of a great evil. The whitened bones of their victims litter the highways and byways of mankind's history. Stopped only by the few willing to pay the ultimate price and make a stand." - Toe REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
