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Planning Commission Page 4 <br />November 27, 2018 <br />----------------------------- <br />Mr. Carlton indicated he had heard from a few property owners in the neighborhood <br />who expressed concerns with safety and risk to the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Mr. Alf responded that he’s worked for 30+ years in mainly residential settings and <br />never really had any incidences with community safety being threatened. He said <br />patients are more vulnerable from members of the public and is not aware of <br />patients that have assaulted or harmed the general public. <br /> <br />Tammy Jorgenson Owens, 1790 Tipton Circle NW, stated her concerns are for the <br />safety of her child and other children in the neighborhood playing outside as she <br />lives just down the street from this proposed facility. She stated she was opposed to <br />ResCare operating in her neighborhood. <br /> <br />th <br />Chris Jacobson, 4720 30 Avenue So., Minneapolis, works for CBRE as a <br />healthcare real estate advisor and indicated this proposed site is fantastic for this type <br />and level of care and treatment of these vulnerable patients who have already <br />received hospitalized treatment and are transitioning back to independent living. Mr. <br />Jacobson stated there’s already a need for mental health treatment in this area. He <br />explained the remodeling that will be done to the building and job creation as a result <br />of this proposal. He stated there will be interior cameras and exterior cameras at all <br />three entrances monitoring the patients. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner asked the applicant why this location was attractive to <br />ResCare. <br /> <br />Mr. Jacobson explained the criteria used to review the needs for a desired location <br />and what condition the building is in, noting this building is built very well and can <br />support fire suppression as well as already zoned institutional. He stated the <br />community is fantastic. He stated these resources are very much in need for this type <br />of patient population of Sherburne County residents. <br /> <br />Mary Jo Cobb, 11445 Brenda Blvd., Becker, is the Director of Health and Human <br />Services at Sherburne County. She explained Thomas Alf asked her 3 years ago if <br />there was a need for an IRTS facility in Sherburne County, and she stated yes there <br />was. Currently they are sending county residents long distances to get this type of <br />service that would now be available in Elk River. She explained it doesn’t allow for <br />patients to get well in their home community, secure employment, and sending <br />someone far away to receive IRTS care is not a good option to get well. She <br />addressed Ms. Owens and stated that the folks that are in these facilities are better <br />monitored and cared for, and less likely to be harmful to others. She understands her <br />fears but she trusts ResCare, noting they’ve looked for a long time to find the right <br />location. <br /> <br />There being no one else to speak, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thiel stated he felt this type of facility was a good fit for this location, <br />and was a needed service in the Sherburne County community. He stated what <br />struck him is the need for this level of care to properly transition patients into <br /> <br />