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Alistair& Karen Jacques 645 Old Long Lake Road, Orono, MN 55391
<br /> December 7, 2009 ike
<br /> fit
<br /> Dear Mr. Olson, 46. .
<br /> 2Q
<br /> We received your letter, dated December 4, 2009. Cm,OFOR,
<br /> NO
<br /> I must first correct your understanding that Mr. Oberaigner spoke to my wife and our landscapers, and
<br /> that the rocks were subsequently moved and have since been replaced. Mr. Oberaigner did speak to my
<br /> wife, in June. She asked him to explain the right-of-way concern. He told her that our rocks are in
<br /> violation of a city ordinance, but he did not identify the ordinance, or the logic behind it. She also asked
<br /> that Mr. Oberaigner discuss the issue with me. He has not attempted to do so (other than a scribbled
<br /> note on the back of a door-hanger, asking that I call an unidentifiable person named"Scott"... I threw it
<br /> away, not realizing he was a city employee). I don't know whether, or not, he spoke to our landscapers,
<br /> but they have no recollection of said conversation, and I can assure you the rocks have not been moved
<br /> since they were originally placed there, in June.
<br /> Per my letter to Mr. Oberaigner, these rocks represent expensive landscaping aimed at preventing folks
<br /> from driving over the grass and flowers at the corners of our driveway. Can we assume the City supports
<br /> our efforts to beautify the community? If we must move the rocks, can the City suggest an alternate
<br /> method of protecting the corners of our driveway? For example, would the City build a curb?
<br /> Please note, the reason we are forced to protect our landscaping is that the city would not allow us to
<br /> have a horse-shoe driveway(like most of our neighbors do). So visitors are forced to reverse out of our
<br /> driveway. In addition to destroying the corners of our landscape,this represents a significant risk to our
<br /> guests and passing motorists, because they have to reverse into Old Long Lake Road traffic.
<br /> I am not familiar with Section 18-2 of the Orono Municipal Code. Would you be kind enough to explain it,
<br /> and its logic, please? For example, what is the"significant risk posed to city employees and equipment
<br /> used for snow removal"? The road is far narrower at other points, often due to objects far larger than our
<br /> rocks, such as trees, light posts, telephone poles, walls, and driveway gateposts(e.g. those at 1000 Old
<br /> Long Lake Road). By the way, gateposts is another item the city forced us to move... at a cost of$5,000.
<br /> It seems we are we being discriminated against?
<br /> We will be very upset if the City simply confiscates our property, without giving us a reasonable
<br /> opportunity to understand and respond to your demand. We cannot do this by 12/11/09. If the City insists
<br /> on moving them sooner, please have someone contact us, so that we can direct a mutually acceptable
<br /> placement.
<br /> Mr. Oberaigner told my wife that there were several other homes violating this ordinance. None of them
<br /> have removed their rocks. Why are we are being discriminated against? Again, I would like to
<br /> understand why the rocks must be moved and whether all other houses on Old Long Lake Road are
<br /> being asked to do the same?Specifically, all of those listed in my letter to Mr. Oberaigner but, more
<br /> broadly, all houses on all roads in Orono?
<br /> Thank you for your written response. We would appreciate the same, again, with response to all of our
<br /> questions. Please feel free to contact me via letter, or email at ajacques@mchsi.com.
<br /> Most sincerely,
<br /> Alistair Jacques
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