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August 21,2002 <br />Honorable Mayor and Council Members - <br />I am writing this letter in favor of the proposed resolution to pave North Arm Lane. <br />The City has addressed the concerns raised in opposition of this resolution. The <br />assessment term has been increased from flve years to ten years. This has resulted in a <br />decrease in the annual assessment to approximately $650. Additionally, there is a <br />mechanism in place to defer the entire assessment for qualified residents over 65 years of <br />age. <br />The character and charm of North Arm Lane will not be compromised by this proposed <br />action. The lane is not being increased in width, nor will there be any curb or gutter <br />improvements. The vegetation along the lane will not change. The character and charm <br />of the Lane is drawn from the surrounding lack of density, abundant wildlife, scenic <br />views and distant home setbacks. Not from the gravel surface of the Lane. <br />The high maintenance gravel surface of North Arm Lane is a nuisance for both the City <br />and the residents living on the Lane. The incessant erosion and potholes make travel a <br />nightmare ....Ice forms on the Lane in the winter, without a black base to facilitate snow <br />melt, which makes travel hazardous.....Gravel washes down driveways and into lawns, <br />then is tracked indoors....Our children are afraid to skate and bike on the gravel surface <br />of the Lane, and so do not learn how. As you can see, this present condition has <br />adversely impacted our quality of life and is intolerable. This was discussed at length at <br />the last Council meeting. <br />Furthermore, the City is expending considerable time, effort and expense in maintaining <br />the gravel surface. It is a hudship for the City to send it*s grading machine miles and <br />miles over busy roads and highways to blade the gravel on this very short lane. There is <br />no other City maintained gravel road in the vicinity, which I am aware of, to justify the <br />effort and expense of maintaining the gravel on North Arm Lane. This just does not <br />make sense. <br />1 urge you to support this resolution to pave North Arm Lane. It is in the best interest of <br />the residents and the City. <br />Thank you. <br />Jim Neilson <br />340 North Arm Lane <br />Orono, MN 55364 <br />952.472.6968 home <br />952.473.0993 work