07-21-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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jrui.—20—9T 03 t 1 ^ F-M 4.i2 <e.2T R. O I Tobin J DAYTo^4 »©^5 foy R idoe R oad Long Lakl MlN^it:soTA s‘>j’r»c July 20. 1997 Orono PLinaii^g Comn\ission 2750 Kelley Porkwny. P.O. Box 66 Crystal Bay, MN 55323 Dear PLiar ing Commi!>5>ion, I am writing to express my opinions regardmg the land use application #2259 submitted by Mark and Laurie Headrick. As the neighbor most dir» clly impacted by the application, I hope that niy input is given considcratioru For a variety of reasons described below, I «un opposed to the Headrick's request to extend their house to within five feel of the property line between our lots Most importantly, I feci that extending their house diamatically closer to my house would have %i lren\endously negative impact not only on my property, but on the neighborhood as a whole. Tlie distance between our houses is already the smallest in the neighborhood by quite a significimt dist.\nce, and the requested choi^ge would obviously further reduce that distance. From an aesthetic standpoint, moving the Headrick's garage oven closer to the property line would detract from the overall appeal of the Fox Ridge Road neighborhood. From in economic standpoint, I am concerned that the proposed change would reduce the c»vorall value of my property which may, in turn, reduce the value of each proper!) on the street. A number of additional concerns have also lead to my opinion regarding the proposed land use application. Tl'io Headricks have experienced a number of problems relatmg to their septic system which sits towMrds the back of their lot. Given the uncertainly surrounding what will happen with the installation of municipal sewer in our neighborhood, in terms of both the time*fr*ime aiul the financial implic«^tions, I feel it is premature to allow an addition as significant as the one proposed to proceed. Secondly, I am concerned that the proposed addition to the Headrick's house is, at best, a temporary solution to their needs and that they will eventually be forced to move even if the addition is approved. The result is that each homeowner suffers from an irreversible and highly undesirable change in the nature, feel, and value of the neighborhood. After having rev'icwcd tl\e application, talked with Mike Caffron, and only recently seen and discussed the plans with the Headricks, 1 am unconvmccd that the Headricks liave met any of the conditions necessary in proving hardship. Wliile 1 CiUi certainly understand the reasons behind their request, 1 do not feel that specific family needs nor particular economic factors should play any role in arriving at a decision regarding the request. Specific circumstances relating to a particular family are temporary, while changes to a house, a lot, and a neighborhood are entirely permanent. For these reasons, I am opposed to the requested application submitted by the Headricks. As I explained to Mike Gaffron over the phone last week, my family and I moved from Kenwood to I ong Lake for a variety of reasons, one important one being the spacious, aesthetic appeal of owning a lot with more thi\n two acres (. land. Tlu» proposed addition to the Headrick's house dramatically reduces the overall appeal of both my lot and the neighborhood as a whole. I appreciate having the opportunity to express my concern^ and I thank the City of Orono and the Plcmning Commission for taking the time to review my input. I v% ill be attending the meeting on Monday night to answer any questions or concerns that anyone might have regarding my feelings on the land use application. Sincerely, Tobin J. Dav/on RECEIVED JUL 2 1 1997 CITY OF ORONO