Minutes - Council - 09/26/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Green stated that Barborossa has been waiting and if it's not done now, it will cost more money. Mr. Olson stated they would like to see a decision made tonight, one way or another. Let's get done with this and go on to the next step." Steve Croteau, 5939 151st Lane N.W., Ramsey, stated that he is opposed to Improvement Project #95-14. "You should bear in mind that most of us built in that area with assurances from the then City Administrator that sewer and water would be coming through in eight to ten years. This is a significant impact - a hardship. "I respectfully ask that you consider $20,000 to $30,000 assessment. This project will cost me an additional $3,800 per year when the improvements come through. The cost is added into the fair market value for tax purposes which increases my taxes. My private system cost $10,000 and it's not even two years old. The final hardship is that we would be forced to subdivide. We do not want to do that. We would then be in competition with Fox Knoll and our neighbors. If you were subjected to this, you would say it is unfair. Natalie Juskiewicz, 5954 - 151st Lane N.W., stated that they are being subjected to the other properties not wanting to subdivide. She stated that she, too, has a private system but the homes next to her have City water and sewer. Now she has that opportunity also and the opportunity to subdivide and they would do that. The cost to do it right now would be less because of the project happening right now. She commented that she is on a fixed income and the longer it takes, the more expensive it will be. She added that they, too, came to Rarnsey for the peace and quiet, but "urban sprawl is happening and you will not be able to stop it". Councilmember Peterson informed the residents that Council has briefly discussed a change in the policy to amend the amount of time before you have to hook up. Right now the policy states that you must be hooked up in two years with a possible 12 month extension for a new system. He inquired if the residents would be willing to work with the City on a policy that may allow a longer time before hook up is required. He suggested that the interest costs would probably still have to be included but the actual cost would be deferred. Attorney Perry stated that deferring an assessment without the benefit of a market value increase - he would venture to guess it would not be attractive to his clients. Paying more interest would not be acceptable, and being forced to subdivide is "not an option my clients want to pursue". "My clients bought this property because of the way it is now." Mr. Green stated that this property was scheduled to be divided by the City. We bought it that way and we want to be allowed to do that. Ed Juskiewicz, 5954 - 151st Lane N.W., Ramsey, reported they have a 2.5 acre lot. Now with Fox Knoll, he has a house built 20 feet from his property line. He stated he would like to divide his lots and sell them off. He has 22 houses next to him and he feels that the property owners who are opposed to this project do not see any houses from their property. He felt with the houses so close to him on one side, it would not make much difference if he has houses on the other side too. Mayor Hardin inquired if Council takes action to go forward with this project and the appraisal does not indicate an increase in value, can the project be halted. Attorney Goodrich responded that it could be. City Council/September 26, 1995 Page 16 of 22