06-03-2020 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

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From: To: AH Planning Subject: PC#20-005 12 Pine Tree Drive/Anderson Center Property Plan&Master Plan Unit Development Date: Saturday, May 23, 2020 4:29:41 PM Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. To the Arden Hills Planning Commission: Thank you for the notification about the proposed plans/use for the development of 12 Pine Tree Drive and the northern property of the Anderson Center. My name is Shawn Robinson. My family and I live on Tiller Lane in Arden Hills. I am contacting you to let you know that my family strongly opposes the development of the area detailed/outlined in the map you provided. While I understand that this area is part of Bethel's Anderson Center, it is essentially also an extension of the Crepeau Nature Preserve and it's trail system. My family and I walk/bike this area nearly everyday when the weather allows it. Particularly, we loop our walk onto the trails north of Anderson Center. In fact,just this Spring, my youngest son learned how to ride a bike on this paved path way. The wooded area is a wonderful buffer between the commercial businesses that line Country Road E. Also, there is a large amount of local wildlife that resides back there. This area is large/wooded enough that deer can frequently be spotted on the exact spot where the proposed lots would be developed. During this pandemic, this little slice of nature has been a haven and an escape for my family, our neighborhood, and community. Now, I realize can only speak for myself and my family. However, on any given day I see dozens of Bethel employees and students walking this pathway as well. I imagine that there are many people in my neighborhood and in the Bethel System itself that feels the way my family does. As I said, it is essentially an extension of the Crepeau Nature Preserve and should be treated as such. Keep it as is, do not develop it. We don't need more parking lots, paved structures, or buildings. Finally, I'd like to say to Bethel College. We love being your neighbors and are proud to have you as a pillar of our community. We want you to thrive, educate, and serve. That said, I cannot understand why you'd want to destroy the wonderful landscape that surrounds Anderson Center. The building is nestled like a jewel in the middle of a nature preserve, and by eliminating the wooded area to the North of Anderson Center, you'd be destroying an amazing aesthetic that sets the building apart from the rest. It is a truly unique campus. Don't do this. Instead, I would hope Bethel would repaint the faded Anderson Center building, and spruce up the pond in the back. Thanks for the opportunity to let us speak. Please contact me with any questions, comments, concerns. You can reach me at 651-239-6737. -Shawn Robinson (and family). PS. To the Lake Johanna Fire Department. Thank you for your service and protection of our community. We are eternally grateful. That said, I cannot understand why you would