| Faith, family and friends hallmarks of Bob Germundson’s life |
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Bob Germundson and his wife, Rebecca. |
Faith, family and friends were the hallmarks of the life of Coon Rapids resident Robert (Bob) Germundson.
| Neighbors oppose plan for loud outdoor entertainment at Ramsey bar |
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| Wednesday, 14 November 2007 | ||
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by Tammy Sakry Staff writer With business slipping in the last two years, Diamonds Sports Bar and Grill owner Gary Gruber wants to try something new - demolition derbies, motocross races, wake board competitions, rodeos and bull riding. And the Ramsey Planning Commission agreed with the neighbors voting Nov. 1 to recommended denial of the Diamonds’ conditional use permit 4-2, with Commissioner Ralph Brauer abstaining. The original proposal has been modified to eliminate to noisier events, which were tractor pulls and the snow cross races, from the list of events, said Patrick Trudgeon, community development director. Diamonds’ current proposal includes 13 events. Summertime events would include two demolition derbies, two motocross races, two wake board, three rodeos and bull riding in addition to its two music events/festivals. During the winter time, Gruber would like to have two snowboarding events at Diamonds, located at 7550 Highway 10. According to Trudgeon, the city has received a number of letters against the conditional use permit, including from the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department and residents. Trudgeon said staff has concerns about the noise and the effect on adjacent properties, including the Mississippi corridor, Mississippi West Regional Park. Gruber said he has reduced the events to the minimal amount for it to still be successful. Diamonds has been losing a lot of money on softball and its other sports over the last couple of years, he told the Anoka County Union in a telephone interview. With expenses going up and the gross sales going down, he has to do something different because he can’t maintain the complex’s 17 acres, he said. According to Gruber, Diamonds gross sales have been down 11 percent this year and went down 24 percent after the smoking ban went into effect Oct. 1. The situation is so bad, Diamonds may shut down, Gruber said. “It’s been an ongoing issue. We were holding above water until the smoking ban,” he said. People are not drinking as much as they used to. Liquor is not the way to go as a business anymore because it’s gotten to be a taboo, Gruber said. To change with the times, Gruber is trying to take Diamonds in a new direction by creating events with a family-friendly fair atmosphere. He has been trying to plan different indoor and outdoor events to cover expenses, Gruber said. Knowing the neighbors were concerned with the noise, they eliminated the noisier events, he said. Neighbors at the Nov. 1 meeting did not object to the wake board, snowboard or music events. Their concerns included Highway 10 traffic safety, dust, noise and the public announcement system. “I didn’t buy my property anticipating a demo derby,” said neighboring resident Kathryn Richter. What will this do to the neighboring property values, she said. It is ridiculous the neighbors have put up with someone’s business noise and she thinks it will create problems on Highway 10 as the trailers are pulling off to enter Diamonds, Richter said. This has to work for everyone, not just his business, she said. “I don’t think we should have to put up with this at our home. Something like this should take place in the country,” Richter said. Diamonds has done nothing to eliminate the noise, said Steve Bulka of Dayton. If this was eight miles out in the country it would be fun. Not here, said resident Leon Richter. The residential people are paying high taxes and the neighborhoods are upscale. The residents don’t want the fair sounds every weekend, he said. According to Gruber, the proposal is for one event of demolition derby and moto-cross each in May, June and September. Not every weekend, he said. While he respects Gruber’s business and enjoys his own motorcycle and sprint car, “I don’t want it,” said resident Steve Will. It doesn’t fit into the location, he said. While some people think the proposal will draw businesses and development, “... that area is wrong. I don’t think it will grow the type of business we want,” said resident Dianne Maciver. Her family moved out here in 1987 because Ramsey was a bedroom community with a quiet serene nature, she said. As someone who needs sleep during the day, resident Lisa Peterson is against it. There is also nothing from blocking the noise from her children’s second-floor bedroom window, she said. She is also worried about what these events would do to the serenity of the neighborhood and wildlife habitat, especially for the deer and nesting eagles, said Peterson. Peterson said she plans to have a number of special events at her home in the next couple of years, including graduation and a wedding. “I don’t want to have the first dance with my husband and worry about the noise,” she said. The events would start in the afternoon with a carnival like event and the races would be done by 10 p.m., said Kris Boden, Diamonds’ consultant. Resident Sue Reynolds said the dust from these events will come right at her home in the Rivenwick development east of Diamonds. “We don’t want to be hearing the noise of the festivals, so please don’t let it be there,” she said. If this proposal is allowed even for a one-year trial, Gruber will be making a big investment and will fight to keep it after the year is up, said resident Douglas Jones. It is time the council and the planning commission look at what they want to put in that area, said resident Clay Thompson. Would Maple Grove allow this, he said. If this is allowed, once it’s in there, they won’t be able to get it out, said Thompson. Not all residents agreed. Resident David Dirkman said the proposal is a great opportunity for community with the family events. While he knows it’s loud, it’s only for four times a year, he said. Although some residents doubted the proposal would contribute to growth, resident Dale McKusick pointed to the city of Columbus. It built a harness track and now it is now a city, he said. “Gary (Gruber) is trying to put into event at no cost to the city,” said McKusick. It could be a positive for the city, he said. The commission was split on whether the proposal was an allowed land use. Until the commission has a history to compare the noise to, it’s hard to say absolutely not, said Commissioner Ralph Hunt. The proposal would change it from a constant dull roar of softball to a short period of time, he said. “We don’t know how bad (the noise is) going to be. There is a natural buffer around the area,” said Commissioner Gary Levine. “I don’t see where we can’t do this.” While the concepts of the events are good, this would happen in a critical nature area, said Commissioner Gary Van Scoy. Diamonds has been an outstanding business in the community, but he does not think it fits the surrounding area, he said. The residents had a certain expectation when they purchased their properties and this would have a negative affect on nature, said Commissioner Terri Cleveland. There is not enough data for him to support this, said Chairman Michael Nixt. It doesn’t fit the area, which was not designed for high volume usage, he said. The council will consider the Diamonds conditional use permit request Nov. 27. Tammy Sakry is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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