03-10-2025 CC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 6, 2025 TO: Mayor Bob Tunheim Council MemberAlisa Benson Council Member Claire Berrett Council Member Steve Persian Council Member Jacqueline Ricks FROM: Phil and Mandy Little 4620 North Arm Drive RE: Pass Property 215 North Arm Lane We continue to have more and more concerns about this development. At the Planning Commission meetings in November and February several of Commission members spoke about their concerns with this wetland and protecting the lake from the consequences of this development, particularly lot 4 and 5. 1 would encourage you to view the February meeting when the Commissioners are talking to each other about their concerns. I would also invite you to contact any of the 12 property owners that abut this property to visit the site. Throughout this process we have asked staff who represents the residents that are impacted by this development — taking down 400+ trees, putting roads in our backyards, impact to an important wetland, etc? The answer has been no one. In looking at the job description of Council members I see two items of the job are to: 1. Be a liaison between Orono and members of the public 2. Protect the welfare of Orono and its residents We have repeatedly asked, with no concrete understanding of the Orono 2040 Comprehensive Plan that states "future rural developments will be guided so as to have minimal impact on the land and or existing rural neighbors.... Care will be exercised to ensure that no new development encroaches upon its neighbor's open space activities." Having a cul de sac road 60 feet from our back property line clearly encroaches on our open spaces. The trees being proposed will not keep us protected and are inadequate at best. This development will disturb the sensitive ecosystems and wetlands and has not enhanced open spaces, including wildlife corridors to maintain ecological connectivity. The local residents have also not been involved in the planning process to ensure all of our concerns are addressed. The problem with "shoehorning" a development into a wetland is that it is impossible to be 100% sure that covering all of the items that need to be covered for the Watershed to meet their rules for the developers application will guarantee not damage to this wetland. However we may never know all of the consequences until it is too late. Asking for forgiveness rather than permission doesn't work when we are talking about lifelong consequences to the health of Lake Minnetonka. 271