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From:Paula Montgomery To:Lonnie Brokke Subject:Objection to Re-Zone Property at 2395 County Rd B and Suggestion for Park and Rec Commission Date:Monday, April 20, 2020 4:22:01 PM Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Dear Director Brokke, We have been residents of the Midland Hills neighborhood located North of Cty B and South of Cty Hwy 36 for approximately 5 years. We live at 2255 Laurie Rd West. We moved to this Roseville neighborhood from South Minneapolis. While we loved things about South Minneapolis, we have two children ages 4 and 6 and were looking for a safe neighborhood, with families with young children, that was unique, had sizable lots with matured trees and green space, rather than the new developments being built in other areas with what I’ll call “cookie cutter” homes and no true character. We hit the jackpot when we found this neighborhood in Roseville. We love that our kids can ride bike safely and we can walk through the neighborhood safely given the limited traffic. We love the sense of community, the character of the homes, and the amazing trees and green space. On any given day we might see deer, a flock of turkeys, a fox, a coyote, lots of species of squirrel and birds. We’ve seen owls, hawks, eagles. It has everything we were looking for with the convenience of an urban neighborhood. That’s why when I recently learned about the request to re-zone the property at 2395 County Rd B from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential I had great concerns. While I support housing development, this particular request, if approved would have significant negative impacts to the neighborhood. The property at issue is home to much of the wild life referenced above. In addition, there are multiple species of trees and plants, and wetlands that would be destroyed should a development proposal like that being considered be built. What is currently a unique, neighborhood with character original to its 1950’s and 1960’s beginnings, would start to look more like those “cookie cutter” neighborhoods in other surrounding communities. I recently reviewed the 2030 and 2040 Roseville Comprehensive Plans. The re-zoning proposal is certainly contrary to many of the state goals in both plans. The 2030 Plan includes the goal to “protect, preserve, and enhance Roseville’s water, land, air, and wildlife resources for current and future generations.” It also includes goals to “add new park and recreation facilities to achieve equitable access in all neighborhoods” and “preserve significant natural resources, lakes, ponds, wetlands, open spaces, wooded areas, and wild-life habitats as integral aspects of the parks system.” In seeking input on the 2040 Plan the second most common response to the question about what is most important in managing growth while preserving a high quality of life was to “protect existing neighborhoods.” You don’t have to look very far to see what happens when development goes too far. Look at Edina and St. Louis Park and the destruction of those neighborhoods because of re- zoning and the practice of tear down and rebuilding. The 2040 plan also includes a goal to “add new parks and facilities to achieve equitable access in all neighborhoods.” The Southwest corner of Roseville has no expansive park space. While we appreciate the small space built at the corner of Cleveland and Cty B, in all honesty it’s not a “green space” that allows for hiking, running, or other recreational opportunities. The Midland Hills community does not have walkable access to parks like those located in other areas of Roseville.