6.4. SR 01-16-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cheryl Becker 11452 197th Avenue NW Elk River, MN 55330 Cit')., planmng and Planning Comrmssion 13065 Orono Parkway Box 490 Elk River, MN 55330 RE: Proposed Hillside Estates 8u' Addition Case P00-18 November 30,2000 Dear City Planning and Planning Commission, I am writing you to express my position and concerns in iegard to the Hillside Estates 8* Addition and the proposed trails. I may not be able to attend the workshop on December 17. I share a common property line on the north end of Hillside Crossings 4 and the new Hillside Estates 8t~ Addition. (colored lot on enclosed map) This trail issue was up before you in February. 1996 and here I am again trying to defend my position on the same matter. Listed below are rite reasons I am opposed to the trail ranmng north of 196u' Avenue: On February. 27,1996 the Planning Commission held a public hearing in regard to the rezoning and preliminary plat for Hillside Crossings 4. Al that time the commission said. "No," to the proposed trail that would have run across my back property line because they said they won't approve trails across the back of existing homes. On March 26,1996 the city counsel decided that a 10 or 20 foot "No Cut Buffer" was to be on the north and east sides of Hillside Crossings'4. I am not sure, but a trail I believe needs more than a 20 foot width between properties. My home is only 30 feet from my back p~:operty line therefore a trail would definitely violate my pr/vacy and make my property and home easily accessible to burglar), and vanctalism. I have mn a daycare business from my home at tiffs location for 13 years. My daycare children would be ex'posed to strangers and people walking dogs, and would be tempted to follow them or pet these dogs, which could be dangerous. I feet I would be forced to put up a fence, which is monetarily not an option for me, and it is unattractive. Putting the trail north of 196th and down the power line would mean the trail would have to cross a wetland and fill or grading would have to be done. The northeast corner of the Hillside crossings 4 is also wet and low and grading in the no cut buffer would be necessary and then tree and brush would have to come down. The trail would have to pass through the "No Cut Buffer" area north of Hillside 4 therefore trees, even small ones, would have to be cut. 6 months of the year there are no leaves on the branches and the cutting of the brush for this trail would open and diminish the reasomng for the buffer for our neighborhood. If a woodchip trail is put in, the woodchip trails many times are paved within a year or two because of vegetation growth and upkeep. A paved trail would attract more traffic because then roller blading, bicycles and more strollers would use the path.