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5.a ADDITION_Public Comment 2024-08-06 Ltr to Scandia-AS pdf Alana N. Sundberg 14145 205th Street North 13640 205th Street North Scandia, MN 55073 August 5, 2024 Mayor Christine Maefsky City Council Members: Planning Commission Members: Steve Kronmiller Travis Loeffler, Chair Michael Lubke Jan Hogle, Vice-chair Jerry Cusick Kirsten Libby Heather Benson Perry Rynders Laszlo Fodor Subject: Laurel Ridge Development on 205th Street Dear Mayor Maefsky, Council Members and Planning Commission Members: At the May meeting, there was a great turnout of the affected neighbors who reside on or near 205th Street and those who utilize the Sand Lake Trail, all of whom shared their many concerns about the safety of the road with the additional traffic volume and locations of the specified driveway locations. In closing, Chair Loeffler asked of the applicant and developer, "Is it as clear as mud what the expectation is?" The developer and the applicant were asked to come back to the June meeting having evaluated these many important testimonies and safety concerns addressed at the May meeting and "to provide a statement explaining why the plan already presented is satisfactory." (Whether it be a traffic study, perhaps road access for two driveways leading into a cul -de-sac, etc.) I think I speak for everyone, when I say how, at the May meeting, as a neighborhood, in the Scandia community, we appreciated feeling acknowledged for our input and legitimate concerns (at least for that moment), as this does hugely impact us in so many ways whether evidence based or believed relevant by others who do not live on 205th Street. At the June meeting, the Laurel Ridge Development matter was tabled until July. At the July 2nd meeting, that many were unable to attend due to the imminent holiday (myself included), by review of the meeting via video, after the fact, I was incredibly disheartened and disappointed when this was suddenly and completely dismissed as if it had never been discussed. And then, to make it even worse, responsibility to provide evidence for the many safety concerns was twisted around and somehow became the responsibility of the residents and concerned parties who utilize 205th Street/Sand Lake Trail as an avenue for quiet, peaceful and safe use. Planner Hofer stated that the city does not have data to back up concerns and may not be able to require anything to address them. It wasn’t the City’s responsibility to have data to back up the concerns, it was requested of the applicant and developer and then, forgotten. I would like to see where it is written that the city does NOT have to require anything to address the public safety concerns. I’m quite certain it was appropriate and more important to the city (or should be), to hear the community and to support them as well as consider the applicant/developer, otherwise why was it appropriate to make the initial request of the applicant/developer to provide resolutions or alternative plans previously? The fact remains that these things have not been addressed. Chair Loeffler has made it clear that he is for growth despite the many, many people, who stood up and said they moved to Scandia for the rural residential environment, the peace, the serenity, the beauty of the land. Most have moved here to get away from developments and growth. At this stage, I think it’s appropriate to establish that even in the areas identified for development in the Comp Plan, while it can be considered, it should be planned out properly and appropriately and not so quickly that the community then has to face other problems down the road, in our haste to get where most don’t want to be anyway. If there is such a strong desire to develop the areas indicated in the comp plan (not by all, but by the council members who worked “really hard” on it), perhaps the UDC/Zoning discrepancy should have been considered or recognized and corrected. In this case, it wasn’t, so it is not a “moot point”. A plan to develop these chosen areas and budget appropriately for the necessary infrastructure, and in an orderly fashion should be prioritized. As taxpayers in Scandia, we don’t want to have to pay for another Bliss Addition - like issue down the road when the public infrastructure that should have been planned for, saved for and installed by the City, was not, and taxpayers ended up carrying the load for that failure. This is bad planning. If you deem it necessary to push this through so quickly, against the many safety concerns of the people who routinely traverse 205th Street and know it best, there is still an option to develop, just not with quite so many homes. As it stands, legally, 3 homes could be built on 39.47 acres. I don’t think 4 would be unreasonable and a variance could be requested for that. Those homes could be built right now, today. I don’t doubt that there was a great deal of time spent on the Comprehensive Plan, and I do wish I had been an active participant which I would have been, had I been aware it was happening, but, I didn’t. I can’t change that now, and if I’m honest this is fairly new to me, but the Comp Plan isn’t the only thing to consider, there are other areas that were identified for growth, and Scandia has been growing, maybe not at an incredibly rapid rate, but I whole heartedly believe that most of Scandia would prefer this doesn’t turn into Woodbury too soon. If this is the setting we wanted, we could have bought into any one of those many developments being continually built closer to the cities. Chair Loeffler threw us a bone (that is what it felt like to me) to identify that the road being designated as a “Trail” could give the impression that it was ‘safer’ than just a standard road, and then turned around and said that we should just remove this designation and all will be right with the world, although I’m not sure how this changes the traffic and public safety concerns at all. This does not change that there was NO solution for the concerns of topography and ditches as suggested by Chair Loeffler initially. It might be important to consider that “Sand Lake Trail,” that is being so easily dismissed, was created and specifically chosen as it meanders through the countryside and was a culmination of a three-year effort by the Park and Recreation Board and community members to identify and mark potential bike trail routes in Scandia, and grants were received for the signage. The opinion stemming from the inaugural ride on June 1st, 2013, was that this was an opportunity for the community to introduce its system of trails to the public and get out to enjoy what we have here in the community. The mayor then stated, “It’s a beautiful ride. There are traditional farmhouses, a lot of ponds and lakes along the way, and a lot of nature. You could hear the different sound s, such as the birds and the squirrels in the trees. It’s very relaxing out there.” And “These were routes that made sense due to their features and their access," Karen Shick, Vice President of Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails, said. (Map outlines Scandia bike routes | News | presspubs.com) I would guess the quick dismissal of the designated road would be devastating to those who put a lot of time and energy into these trails for community members and beyond as we have identified, it is heavily used as anyone residing on the road has said and observes. Perhaps this isn’t the experience of Planner Hogle when she travels the road as a passerby but seems like we should be given the opportunity to produce evidence to consider this. On August 2nd, 2024, in an article from the Forest Lake Times, titled, “Scandia pedestrian improvement design hits first stage, staff requests public feedback,” outlining a partnership between Washington County and the City of Scandia in creating a plan to improve connec tions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other modes of travel within the city’s center. The Scandia City Center Plan will identify ways to address safety and better connect residents and visitors throughout downtown Scandia, I don’t have all the details, but the point is that this is also a form of growth, having these trails for the Scandia residents and for visitors to continue to utilize the Sand Lake Trail as it has become well known since its introduction in 2013. As this plan is looking to address safety, it solidifies the necessity to do so on all dedicated bike trails in Scandia, such as 205th Street. In deciding areas of growth for the 2040 Comp Plan, do we know if the aspect of the Sand Lake Trail was considered? We, (the concerned residents), have now been tasked by our Planning Commission Chair Loeffler with producing evidence (traffic study, etc.), something the developer likely has resources for and experience in that we do not, nor should we have to. However, since we have been tasked with this, and we don’t have these resources at our fingertips, or the funding, then we need more time to have an opportunity to fund and gather these experts to assist us in keeping 205th Street safe. We want to be sure we can include as much information and resources as is necessary to be considered thoroughly by the Planning Commission and City Council and that they have all of the information and “evidence” they need, while considering this application and requested variance. While Chair Loeffler may feel like the public had plenty of opportunity for input, we were only just made aware that evidence will now be required by the Planning Commission for our concerns as residents and taxpayers to be legitimate and further considered. This was a NEW development, and it only seems fair to provide us with the necessary time to fund and obtain the necessary traffic engineers, etc. Lest we not forget, the error identified by the City (or was it the developer) in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan regarding density should be resolved to have a proper and consistent policy, which currently does not exist. What are the metrics at this point allowing the potential development based on the UDC? The applicant and developer legally do not have enough property at 39.47 acres to meet the criteria -bottom line. So, can it be expected that anyone could be granted a dedicated right of way to make it work if they don’t have quite enough? If so, make it policy. What are the metrics? As an example, and as was mentioned in a previous letter submitted by me in June, a similar request was made by other Scandia residents requesting to purchase a small parcel to make theirs’ an even number. Their request was denied. What’s ok for one isn’t ok for some? There needs to be a consistent policy for all, considering every angle, now and for the future. Let’s not kick the can down the road for the residents and taxpayers of Scandia to have to pay for it later on, let’s provide the proper funding for the necessary infrastructure, make the proper changes, and then move forward, or simply move forward with what is currently allowed. Three houses on 39.47 acres. There is still growth in that with much less risk to the many who enjoy 205th Street/Sand Lake Trail. Conclusion We urge the Council to: • Address the discrepancy with the Comprehensive Plan/UDC before committing to a development that still leaves us with too many questions and concerns ensuring consistent application of policies to all future development applications, even if it means we hold off for now to get this aligned. • Clearly define the policy regarding dedicated right-of-way acquisition. • Grant us additional time to gather evidence to support our safety concerns, and the extension of the public hearing to remain open for these findings to be included when we are able. We estimate it might take some time to fund and find an available traffic engineer and other necessary experts and therefore, request a minimum of two full months from the August meeting date. We would hope to be prepared for the October/November meeting. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Alana Sundberg