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Anita Rios <br />Council member, City of Centerville <br /> <br /> <br />From: Andria Mattlin <a.mattlin@live.com> <br />Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 1:13 PM <br />To: Anita Rios <arios@centervillemn.com>; Russ Koski <rkoski@centervillemn.com>; David Kubat <br /><dkubat@centervillemn.com>; swynncentervillemn@gmail.com <swynncentervillemn@gmail.com>; Linda Broussard <br />Vickers <lbroussardvickers@centervillemn.com> <br />Subject: Rezoning Concerns <br /> <br />Dear City Council Members, <br />My name is Andria Mattlin, and I am a resident of the Watermark development, directly adjacent to <br />the area proposed for rezoning by Equinox Development. I was among the first residents to move into <br />Watermark and was a vocal opponent of the initial rezoning proposal in 2021. Although I am not a <br />Centerville resident, I am directly impacted by this project due to the proximity of my home to the site <br />at Main Street and 21st Avenue North. <br />When my family purchased our home in April 2020, we were aware that this land was zoned for <br />commercial use. That designation made sense—it was intended to complement the growing <br />residential base and provide nearby amenities and services to residents of both Centerville and Lino <br />Lakes. Over the past few years, I’ve seen significant progress in the area, with new homes, <br />expanding neighborhoods, and local businesses beginning to thrive. This growth demonstrates that <br />Centerville’s original vision for balanced residential and commercial development is working in <br />neighboring cities. <br />However, like in 2021, many nearby residents—including myself—were not notified directly of the <br />proposed zoning change. Because the majority of homes within 350 feet of the site are in Lino Lakes, <br />Centerville residents were largely excluded from notice. While this may technically comply with <br />notification requirements, it fails the spirit of community engagement and transparency. Major land <br />use decisions that affect the broader region deserve broad communication and input. <br />I oppose the proposal to rezone this property from commercial to residential for several reasons: <br />1. Loss of Commercial Opportunity: Centerville has very limited commercial land <br />available. Converting one of the few remaining parcels to residential use undermines <br />the city’s long-term economic sustainability. Once commercial land is lost, it cannot be <br />easily regained. <br />2. Fiscal and Community Impact: Commercial development generates substantially <br />higher tax revenue per acre than residential rentals, helping fund city services without <br />increasing the residential tax burden. It also supports small businesses and creates <br />local jobs. Turning this area into rental housing contributes to suburban sprawl rather <br />than a self-sustaining local economy. <br />3. Infrastructure and Traffic Concerns: This intersection is already experiencing higher <br />traffic volumes due to new housing in Watermark and surrounding developments. <br />Additional residential units will further strain existing roads and utilities without <br />contributing proportionately to the tax base needed for infrastructure upgrades. <br />4. Precedent and Planning Integrity: The rezoning of this area has already been <br />rejected. The city’s long-range plan envisioned this corridor as a commercial node <br />4 <br /> <br />