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<br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />October 17, 2005 <br /> <br />Dear residents: <br /> <br />I am unable to attend tonight's meeting since I will be traveling out-of-the-country during <br />this week. I am presenting this letter, however, as input into tonight's agenda item on the <br />residential development being proposed on the property which is currently the site of the <br />Pinewood Golf Course. <br /> <br />I am, fIrst of all, not in favor of the golf course being abandoned and the property developed <br />into residential lots. I never imagined that this would ever happen and was totally surprised <br />when the proposal was brought forward through the city development process. The city was <br />caught off guard with this one and has spent considerable time in the past few months trying <br />to make sense of it all. <br /> <br />I was glad that the city council postponed making the decision on the proposed residential <br />development in order to give residents living near the golf course some time to pursue <br />enforcement of the land covenants placed on the property during a past development <br />project. I have not heard if any legal action was begun or if a delay in the property <br />development will be forthcoming as a result. <br /> <br />Tonight, however, the development is before the council at the request of the property <br />owner, who has every right to request that this matter be heard and decided on by the <br />council according to the timeline set forth by city ordinances. Barring any legal intervention <br />from residents or delay by the council, the decision will be made tonight and it will be based <br />on the developer's adherence to current city zoning rules and regulations. <br /> <br />It is my understanding that the developer has altered the proposed plat according to the <br />direction of the city council given at the previous meeting when this matter was heard. I do <br />not believe that the city council can deny the plat based on any [mdings that the <br />development does not meet city requirements. The property is zoned correctly for this type <br />of residential plat and the property owner has the right to develop the property according to <br />existing city ordinances. <br /> <br />However, even if the plat is approved tonight, a majority of the city council has indicated an <br />interest in looking into purchase of the golf course from Paul Krause, owner of the property. <br />In a recent face-to-face discussion with Mr. Krause, I found him very willing to enter into <br />negotiations with the city with the hope that Pinewood Golf Course could remain a part of <br />Phone: 763.635.1000 <br />Fax: 763.635.1090 <br /> <br />www.cLelk-river.mn.us <br /> <br />S:\pLANNING\Case Files\2005\P 05-13 Pinewood Estates 2nd\MayorLetter.doc <br />