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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mr. Fountain stated that on Septanber 10, 1984 COuncil aoopted a negative <br />findings of fact, (aoopted in resolution form on Septanber 25, 1984), <br />regarding Waste Management's pro};X>sal for expansion and one of those negative <br />findings aoopted was: 'Detrimental effect on pro~rty values in the near <br />vicinity of the landfill.' Mr. Fountain quoted Itan U5 fran that findings of <br />fact: 'Mr. Robert Boblett, an appraiser, was retained by the City for the <br />pur};X>se of advising the City on whether the pro};X>sed expansion would affect <br />pro~rty values in the vicinity of the landfill. Mr. Boblett testified that <br />the expansion to the south would cause a decrease in pro~rty values of sane <br />adjacent pro~rties of fran 15 to 25 ~rcent. He further testified that the <br />pro};X>sed expansion to the north would render several houses unsaleable. These <br />houses, which are on Gamet street, include sane of the most valuable houses <br />in the area. The pro};X>sed landfill expansion would be detrimental to ~rsons <br />residing or working in the vicinity of the landfill and to the public welfare <br />and would substantially i.Jntair the use, enjoyment and value of adjacent <br />pro~rties. This finding is based on noise, o<brs and air pollution, visual <br />im:r:acts and };X>tential for pollution, as described in other findings herein.' <br /> <br />Mr. Fountain then referred to an article published in the August 31, 1984 issue <br />of the Anoka Union which discussed real estate values and the inability to sell <br />hanes in the area. The article stated that area real estate agents feel the <br />reason for SlCM developnent in Ramsey is because Ramsey is the site of Waste <br />Management of Minnesota, Inc. The article stated that an Edina real estate <br />agent that lives in Ramsey stated that things were good in Ramsey 3 years ago; <br />when she bought her heme it had been on the market for 3 weeks; the hane has <br />again been on the market since April, 1984 and she feels the reason it is not <br />selling is because of the landfill -- ~ople oon't want to live in a tCMn knCMn <br />for it's dump. Mr. Fountain stated that the article also states that the <br />average market time is 55 days and in Ramsey it is 175 days and it has to be a <br />good deal, in the price range of $55,00-$66,000 to sell. <br /> <br />Mr. Fountain then referred to an article published in the April 11, 1985 issue <br />of the Minnea};X>lis Tribune which states that the valuation of 42 hanes in Lake <br />Elmo have plummeted because of contaminated water in the wells and these hanes <br />are in the vicinity of the former Lake Jane landfill. <br /> <br />Mr. Fountain stated that it has been determined that the landfill is <br />contaminating ground water in Ramsey. Mr. Fountain stated that his heme is <br />1200' north of the present landfill boundary and he is quite certain he would <br />not be able to sell his hane for the appraised value because the contamination <br />situation is a well knCMn fact. Mr. Fountain stated that he believes his hane <br />and valuation are overstated and have been for 2 to 3 years. People in the <br />area have had their hane on the market for 2 years and have oocumented proof <br />that };X>tential buyers site the landfill as a reason for not buying. Mr. <br />Fountain ra:;Iuested that the valuation of his pro~rty be reduced to reflect <br />the true value. <br /> <br />Mr. Fountain sul:mitted to COuncil, letters fran pro~rty CMners in the <br />vicinity of the landfill who were unable to attend tonight's Board of Review. <br /> <br />COuncil noted receiving letters fran the fOllCMing: <br /> <br />April 24, 1985 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 7 <br />