Point Ruston Shoreline Permit Hearing: Nov. 12, 2008

I am out of town, but Beth Torbet was able to take some notes on what happened at the hearing. Thank you, Beth! ~ Karen

Commission member, Charles Raines was not present.

Chair Kevin Moser ~ read all the instructions that go along with this kind of hearing. Mike Cowen challenged Anderson's wife because her husband signed some letter against this action. She responded that she told her husband that she could not discuss anything with him about this topic.

Point Ruston presentation ~ identified the limited items that are being considered at this hearing: 200' of shoreline within Ruston's borders
* The Hotel* Water walk
* Grand Plaza
* 50' Promenade portion for the public
* Connection w/Metro Parks
* Utilities
* Retail area within Ruston

It was noted that this is a "conditional use permit" because Ruston's code for this property is outdated.The Hotel is planned to be put out for bids in April or May and begin construction in June 2009. Approximately 18 months to complete. Some history was referred to as in the first EIS was in 1992, ect.

Public comments:
* Ken Brown supported the request for this conditional use permit & he referred to Point Ruston as part of our community. (he said a lot of good things I just couldn't write quick enough.)
* John Schroeder objected to issues such as traffic & heights
* Loren Cowen responded to Schroeder's comments and invited him to a meeting to go over his concerns.
* I (Beth) supported the approval of this "conditional use permit" request.
* A representative from the Carpenters Union presented a printed document and spoke to the objections of the Carpenters Union addressing each point that Ron White (staff) had in the report.
* Mike Cowen rebutted the Carpenters Union representative.
* J.J. responded to a comment about the Park District. She said the Park district is not involved in any way with the funding of any improvements as was mentioned by the Carpenters Union Representative.

At 7:57pm the public portion of the meeting concluded. The chair read the final script & Bryan Ficiala moved to adjourn w Colett Judd seconding it; Dick Peterson voted no, so the vote was 4 to 1 to adjourn & reconvene Nov. 19th, @ 7pm to deliberate & vote.