02-18-2025 Planning Commission Packet (2)

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North Arm Lane serves 8 homes, why is it necessary to have two cul de sacs for 5 homes? Having the road along our boundary will decrease our property value. We would ask that the cul de sacs be removed. Perhaps a long driveway would suffice to each home. I would ask the owners how are we to be compensated for the loss this will cause us? With 2 ½ acre sites, why do we have a road within 60 feet of our property boundary and the structure on our property? In the 2040 Comprehensive Plan it states “future rural developments will be guided so as to have minimal impact on the land or on existing rural neighborhoods…….Care will be exercised to ensure that no new development encroaches upon its neighbor’s open space activities.” This clearly is encroaching upon our open spaces. How can anyone say that site grading, hardcover, wells and septics, storm water facilities, and building pads will preserve this land and protect the natural landscape? Animal species will be disrupted for many years with the amount of hard cover and disruption to their habitat during this development. In the Orono’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan “The foremost guiding principle and goal of Orono’s planning is to protect and preserve Lake Minnetonka, and all lakes and natural resources, its water quality and recreational assets….It includes preservation of the associated marshes, wetlands and natural drainageways as the primary, most practical and cost effective method of preventing flooding and of filtering out the nutrient pollution from stormwater runoff….To maintain our local character and identity. This character is defined by strong neighborhoods, preponderance of wildlife, open spaces, lakes and wetlands. To protect and preserve our many natural resources including all lakes, creeks, marches, wetlands, woodlands, groundwater and steep slopes. To preserve open spaces, light, air and solar access for all citizen while maintaining night sky.” We are concerned about this developer having little knowledge of this area other than having stated in their narrative “access to the sought-after Lake Minnetonka – and it being the last of its kind in the area, located off North Arm Dr.” It is not located off North Arm Dr., but is located off of North Arm Lane which is just that, a lane, that is not wide enough for two cars to pass at the same time. The narrative states the lane “will service the lots of the development.” This development will certainly not “improve the public infrastructure” for this lane or any of the surrounding properties. We do not believe that any of this supports the “feasibility and necessity of the Idyllvale Shores development.” The construction and noise will be in our backyard and along the Lane for years. The tree removal is devastating. While there are a number of trees that need to be removed there are many being removed to accommodate “hardcover.” This is hardly preservation of a natural habitat. We understand the family has a right to do what they wish with their property, but are concerned with the disregard for the impact this will have on the environment, an old established neighborhood and relationships people thought they had with Carol. Not every square inch of land needs to be developed. We would ask that the Planning Committee not approve this plan at this time. In talking with the Watershed District they said the application would take 1-2 months to make it through their process. What rights do we have as current landowner and citizens from developers and who in Orono represents us? 177