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1'R I g 1999 • Scott Harlicker Elk River City Planning Commission 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River,MN 55330 March 18, 1999 Dear Mr.Harlicker: Regarding the notice sent March 15t, 1999 informing property owners of the proposed zoning change,Case#ZC 99-2,as a property owner in this vicinity,I would like to take this opportunity to express my concerns with this proposal; I have great concern with the proposal to build a multi-family townhouse development in the area being considered off of Meadowvale road.My greatest concern is that this would greatly increase the traffic using Meadowvale Road between Upland and County Rd#1,which is already becoming a dangerous roadway due to the new development on the north end over the past 4 years. There are many people who use this roadway to walk,jog, and ride bicycles especially during the summer months, and increasingly during the winter months. (I have been surprised by joggers users this road in the early pre- dawn hours several times this past winter.)Anyone who has driven down this curving narrow road knows that to avoid pedestrians you have to swerve out into the other lane,as there is little to no shoulder along most of the road between Highway 10 and County Road 1. I purchased a home in the Meadowvale Heights development in August 1995,and have had a very growing concern over this problem as it exists today,and was shocked to be notified that a proposal is being considered that will tax this roadway even further. This, in my opinion is already an accident waiting to happen. Many of my neighbors have also voiced concern over this issue.None of us want to experience the horror of having one of our children hurt or killed in an accident on this road. There are many young families with children that buy into these new neighborhoods,and this will undoubtedly bring more children walking or riding their bicycles to their friends into the roadway. There is • no alternative to get anywhere except to use this road. The changes that occurred in the past year,when the connection with County Road#1 at 193'a Ave was closed, and the connection to Highway 10 one block west of Upland was closed has seemed to route more traffic onto this one roadway. If more development occurs in this area without addressing the traffic-pedestrian problem, it is paving the way for a serious accident to occur. Secondly,there is a great deal of wildlife in this area. We have had the great pleasure of seeing many unique birds including Blue Herons,eagles, and hawks, in addition to other animals we see occasionally. We have disturbed their habitats already with the development that has occurred in this area. Elk River is losing much of it's beauty and appeal by destroying areas like this simply to add more developments when there are still many areas where this type of building could occur without being this disruptive to the nature we all enjoy. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my opinion over-all that the City Planning is moving forward too quickly with development in general,as is evident in our schools being over burdened. What is the great necessity to proceed in this manner when it is having such a negative effect on the quality of education in our district?We need to take much greater consideration that it appears is being given when making decisions that will have long term effects on the core of the community itself,which are the families who live and work here. It seems Elk River is losing its identity of being a slow paced,caring community,which is the very heart of the city itself. Do we really want to become that much like Brooklyn Park? Is that what this city is striving towards?Do we want to be a community who cares for its neighbors, or a community that fears its neighbors? Progress may be necessary for a city to survive,but we need not race to meet a goal by destroying the fundamentals that have woven this community together along the way. Thank you,Laura Montoya 13027 192 '/z Lane Elk River,MN 55330