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• III • . . .. • ____________. ___ ___ _ . _ ..._... -t -- Letters to the Editor Many 10-acre restriction wiII remain I would like to respond to built homes near us on 10 acre create higher property taxes. research many considerations Council Member Cecilia Scheel's parcels.Some have horses,raise in P 3. Hobby farms? New home and their future impacts. They letter ofJan.18.No one is trying g sheep,farm and sorne just enjoy owners purchasing a 2.5 acre lot face an enormous task, as their to tell Mrs.Scheel that she does the country living. The single often think they now have a decisions will define our city and not the hinax ave h hright cash out Per- factor that preserves this kind hobby farm. They wonder just the nature of our community. er property.yof lifestyle is the enforcement of how close they can legally place These changes are permanent. haps a lack of financial diver- the 10 acre minimum lot size sheds,barns,outbuildings, cor- I feel that anyone in a decision- sity in land investment accounts restriction. We could have eas- rals and animals to the property making capacity who stands to for her indignation at not being ily found ourselves in a "neigh- line. Density is a factor. gain financially from these kinds able to sell her land off in 2.5 borhood," not what we antici- Alandownerordeveloper may of policy changes should be ex- acre lots. Currently, north of pated when we bought our farm. argue that they have the right eluded from the decision-mak- ! Cty. Rd. 33 the minimum prop- What would be the impact of to develop their land as they see ing process. erty size for subdivision stands downsizing to a 2.5 acre lot al- fit. Selling off a large piece of "Elk River—Where the City at 10 acres. I feel that this is a lowance? land into small 2.5 acre parcels and Country Flow Together," personal investment problem . 1. Property assessment.Traf- brings windfall profits. I can our city motto,gives you a feel- and should not be addressed as fic increase is a major consider- appreciate their expectations ing that a portion of our town in an"Elk River"issue. Conflict ation. Paving roads and other with the dollars involved: how- will continue to have a heritage of interest is present. Mrs. assessments may force many to ever, they should not have the of barns, fields and animals as i Scheel clearly does not repre- sell off part of their land to pay right to drastically alter the an integral part ofourarea while sent all landowners and farm- the costs or move altogether. r nature ofar.areazonedfora ri also encouraging growth and ens. 2.How will this affect comm.u- , g } } cultural use at the expense of economic progress. The ch::l- There are many of us who nity services. With a l:igl:c neighbors who remain. , -_ lenge of the Planning Comm;s- 'hbpathe'2O03rt restrictions will--concentration-W.' parcels ;:, ::p We we;come plans.for our.Sion •will be to balanLe city I remain in place. Pressure to outlying area, there would be a area that are designed within growth and country life.lfthese fdownsize this regulation comes higher demand on the city to the existing 10 acre framework things are not considered, our from a few large landowners and provide more services such as as it preserves the ruralness motto could change to "Elk developers who are unconcerned fire,police,school busing,refuse and farm life. River—Where the City Flows about changing the face of the collection, etc. Spreading the 1995 is an important year for into more City,sorr we're fresh land or the agricultural nature coverage farther out from they' E1,. River as we develop plans out of country."— Lynette of the area. We have welcomed citycenterwould bepoorgro;':t', for the future of our growing Robinson, Elk River neighbors who have recently management. All of this. •wr::!•:? city. We have chosen citizens to