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<br />Vivian S. Ramalingam <br />2182 Acorn Road <br />Roseville, MN 55113-3854 <br /> <br />May 21, 2003 <br /> <br />Thomas Paschke <br />City Planner <br />City of Roseville <br />2660 Civic Center Drive <br />Roseville, MN 55113 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Paschke: <br /> <br />This is a summary of our conversation of May 19,2003. On that date, we discussed <br />the damage to our home that we believe is the consequence of the decision by the City of <br />Roseville to permit the clearing of a heavily-wooded lot beside our property and the <br />construction on that lot of a large house designated as 2172 Acorn Road, without properly <br />safeguarding the interests of the property owners at 2182 Acorn Road. <br /> <br />You have on file a letter dated May 3, 2001, in which we set out in detail our <br />apprehension about the siting of the proposed house, which would allow water from the <br />property at 2172 to seep down the slope toward the pond behind our home, passing under <br />our property. This in fact is what is happening. <br /> <br />We contend that the drainage at 2172 is inadequate to handle the accumulation of <br />water caused by the removal of more than 70 old-growth evergreens and oaks and their <br />replacement by a large, non-permeable footprint. Water pools on the NOlth side of 2172, <br />and visibly runs across the common driveway, onto our lot. [See photo] Compare the <br />adequate drainage management on 2121 W Cty B, which retains the water that would <br />otherwise run onto the front of 2192 Acorn. It is questionable whether the transport of <br />rainwater at 2172 to the street is properly controlled by the present configuration of the <br />downspouts. <br /> <br />But the most insidious result of the changes to the surface area is the cracking of our <br />basement t100r. When we bought our home, in 2000, it was 9 years old and the basement <br />t100rs were in pristine condition. No cracking at all, during our subsequent 2 1/2 years of <br />occupancy. But in mid-winter of 2003, after 2172 construction was completed, the concrete <br />floor slab cracked, signaled by single, sharp noises like rit1e shots, in the middle of the night. <br />[see photo] There are now several large cracks, some extending to the South wall, some <br />reaching to the carpeted living area. The water table below our home is now raised; frost <br />heave of the basement floor slab has led to damage to our property. <br /> <br />We contend that the apparent inattention to the consequences of the new construction <br />at 2172 has diminished the value of our property, and the Ramsey County Depmtment of <br />Property Taxes and Revenue has agreed. It is a matter of public record that the Estimated <br />Market Value of 2182 Acorn Road has been lowered for the current tax year by $65,000, by <br />reason of the damage to the basement floor and the loss of desirable ambiance. <br /> <br />We are asking the City of Roseville to take measures to rectify the drainage and <br />standing water problems that are hazardous, and causing damage to our property. <br /> <br />Please copy your response to the e-mail addresses we provided you at our meeting. <br /> <br />Very truly yours, <br /> <br /> <br />It l\ <br /> <br />(\ <br /> <br /> <br />CC: Dennis Welsch <br />