02-22-1995 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Wayzata Office 315 East Lake Street Wavzata. MN 55391 612 473-3000 Fax 612/473-3932 January 27, 1995 City of Orono Uld Crystal Bay Road Long Lake, MN 55356 U cs- • 5 Ot;% } j \ t Re: 4100 Watertown Road Frank and Sue Kokesh Property To Whom It May Concern: In 1968 Frank and Sue Kokesh purchased an approximate 10 acre farmstead at 4100 Watertown Road...a property that had been used for years by the previous owners for boarding horses. This prior use was significant for the Kokesh’s, since their intention was to continue having the property for the purpose of boarding horses When they took title, many of Ae bmldings that existed were in a serious state of deterioration, not to mention beii^ an eye^ sore, and so over the next ten years, they removed a 15’ x 50 ’ building, a 12 x 18 ’ milk house, a 12’ x 18 ’ tool shed, 2 com cribs and a 20 ’ x 20 ’ milk bam. In order to not only enhance the curb appeal of the property, but also provide for the facilities necessary to a viable hoi .e operation in this climate, an indoor arena was built in 1969, and an addition to the bam a few years later. For the past 25 plus years, the Kokesh’s have owned and operated a successful horse boarding facility. The grounds continue to be impeccably main taine d with four board fencing and a gated entrance. They have now chosen to pursue their horse business in Florida and are offering the property for sale. In the few short weeks of being on the market, there has been si^iific^t interest in the parcel containing the original homestead and buildings. It is a facility that has been admired for years. . .for its location, its charm, the state of the art bam and the indoor arena which provides boarders an opportunity for year round enjoyment of their sport. As agents for the Kokesh’s in their absence, we are requesting that the City permit the existing buildings on the 9.91 acre parcel to be separated fi'om the adjacent acreage that was purchased at a later time, and restored to the original parcel and boundaries that it was in 1968, wth a continued use for boarding horses. It is extremely important that this occur to preserve the highest and best use of the farm. A very slight percentage of horse enthusiasts are financially capable of purchasing such a large parcel of land as the 31.2 acres in the City of Orono. This request certainly appears to be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the community, consistent wiA other surrounding operations within a mile distance of this address and within the Forward - 2