Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/07/2020

Home

Good morning, We write to express our opposition to the zoning proposals for the Trott Brook North and Hunt Properties. We understand these properties are currently zoned for as low as 80 foot lots. In accordance with the Ramsey's 20 year plan, that appears appropriate for this plan. However, to re -zone these areas for as low as 55 foot lots no longer adheres to this plan. While we understand the developer intends to leave the wetlands alone, to build up to 450 homes that will potentially house up to 1000 additional people will without a doubt chase the wildlife into another area and do nothing to protect the natural environment. It will create a significant amount of traffic that is also not conducive to maintaining a natural, rural environment. In addition, looking at the developer's plan, the area will be crowded with homes and will be safety hazard as fire trucks will have difficulty manipulating the tight turns and at 55 foot lots, it would take little time for fires to jump from one home to the next. To allow this re- zoning compromises Ramsey's vision and does not respect the balance and connectivity between Ramsey's unique urban, rural, and natural environments. . Our specific story involves living in the City of St. Paul for over 30 years. In doing a significant amount of research into where we would start the next phase of our lives, we looked at the City of Ramsey's 20 year Plan and chose a home, in part, based on the City's expressed desire to balance the rural areas of Ramsey with urban growth. We chose a home in the northern part of Ramsey believing this area was and would remain the rural part of Ramsey. This plan threatens the natural and rural environment of this north side of Ramsey. We respect and understand the desire for growth and the need to increase a city's taxpayer base. As referenced in your proposed 2040 plan, there are over 1,000 acres of developmental land in the COR located near U.S. Highway 10 that can accomplish meeting this vision and goal so that the rural Ramsey can remain an area for current homeowners to continue to live within the natural, rural environment that drew us to this great city. We understand, correctly or incorrectly, from talking with numerous long term residents of Ramsey that it is their belief that both Brookside and Woodlands developments were "crammed" down residents throats, and despite public hearings, their voices went unheard. Whether that is true or just a residual feeling by residents, we hope you consider the voices of those that oppose this development and what we believe would amount to the removal of the rural and natural environment. Thank you for considering our opposition. Christine Rued/Brian Walker 17289 Variolite St NW Ramsey Residents