5.a 8 Jarvinen commentsJune 5, 2017
RECEIVED
Dear Planning Commission Member,
JUN 6 201 P
Thank you for the opportunity to tell a bit of my story. I grew up in the suburbs of the Twin Cities. I often we t camping and soon
developed a great appreciation for nature and land. In 1996 at the age of 18, 1 had a dream of having a farm', but,eyen at that young
age, I recognized the fact that rural land was disappearing near the cities. When I was around 20, 1 started aictiveig searching for
acreage on which to build my dream. But there was no property that I could afford and still be close enough to the cities to work and go
to school there.
I saved money. After trying to search on my own and coming up empty, I enlisted a real estate agent to help me. Over the years, we
looked at different properties, but there were not many and what I did find was either unusable land or expensive property. My agent and
I kept at it, but my dream of the rural life, the life on a farm, was elusive. I didn't want low land. I didn't want to be near power lines or
anything industrial. And I love trees, so I wanted some woods. I gave up the search closer in to the cities, and expanded my search to
include Scandia. I loved Scandia's commitment to rural life..."Dedicated to Rural Community Values". I even loved when I read the code
and realized that Scandia wanted to keep large parcels of land (20 acres plus) when subdividing. And I loved the scenic rolling
landscape and trees and farms. I decided that the drive was worth it if I could find something in Scandia. I had two near misses. I made
an offer on one piece of land, but it was rejected. I almost made an offer on another piece of land that was one of two 40 acre parcels,
but before I could do so it sold to a solar developer. I did not make an offer on the other 40 acres because I didn't want to be next to
solar.
That was 2015 and I still could not find my dream property. I looked at a ramshackle farm in Hugo that needed so much work that I knew
I couldn't afford what needed to be fixed. There was another piece of property that was ok...1 didn't love it, but I decided I just needed to
get on with it ... this was now 19 years of waiting and I just needed to get started. So I wrote to my agent on September 8th, 2015 that I
was settling; that I wanted to make an offer on the property 1 didn't love. That same night, less than an hour later, I saw a listing for
another piece of property. I was so excited I wrote four emails to my agent that night about it. I went to see it and I knew, just knew this
was the one I had been looking for. Not only could I afford it, but it was on Manning Trail! For years, I had driven north up Manning from
Stillwater, loving the beautiful pastoral views with ponds and green hillsides. I always thought it would be lovely to own land on Manning
Trail, and now I had the opportunity!
So, I bought my dream property on Manning Trail. It is surrounded by two farms and a wooded parcel. It has some woods, some open
land, and a beautiful pond. I've so enjoyed watching all the wildlife on the pond ... blue -winged teal, bufflehead, mallards, Canada geese,
and even swans! I've seen peregrine falcons and sandhill cranes, and even just a week ago I saw a northern harrier. I've been working
hard for the last year and a half to be able to build there. I have my plans drawn up and my driveway mostly in as of last fall. The wildlife
is truly amazing! I see something different every time I am out there. The views are beautiful. I could see myself sifting on a little dock
with a good book and an ice code A&W root beer, looking up every now and then to see what kind of intriguing wildlife might decide to
show itself. I'm not sure it could get much better than that. I was so excited to get started on building.
Then my neighbor told me she was planning to put in a solar garden. My heart nearly stopped. I couldn't breathe. I was and am
completely devastated. 4000 solar panels right across the pond from me. 19 years of careful planning and saving and searching and
striving for my dream is crushed in one simple phone call. I tried so hard to find an affordable rural property that was not next to power
lines or industry, but rather was rural and natural, and then find that my neighbor can just plunk an industrial compound in her
backyard. I am extremely upset and very disappointed. I do not want to live next to 4000 solar panels. Who would? I am south of the
proposed site, which is the direction solar panels face most of the time. I have many concerns. I am holding off on my plans to build ... I
do not want to build next to solar. Not only that, but my property value instantly falls if this goes through, so either I can't sell or I have to
sell at a significant loss, which sets me back even further. People do not want to live looking at thousands of solar panels. If this
industrial solar complex goes through, I lose no matter what I do.
I would love to be in a city where the planning commission works hard to preserve the agricultural values of the community. My hope is
that you will determine that a conditional use permit is not beneficial in this circumstance and will recommend that the solar garden
permit for 23485 Manning Trail North is denied. I really want to build my dream. I am hoping that Scandia is the protector of the rural
character and agricultural core that I believed it to be.
I ask that you vote "NO" to the permit for putting a solar garden on 23485 Manning Trail North. I am available for any and all further
dialogue on this matter. Please uphold the rural community values and do not turn this rural, agricultural core land into an industrial
complex.
"Purpose. The AG C District is established to protect and preserve land for long-term agricultural production and to preserve
the rural character of the City. AG C District areas are designated Agricultural Core in the Comprehensive Plan."
-Scandia Development Code, Chapter 2 (Zoning Regulations)
If this project should be approved despite my objections and those of other people affected, I request the following:
1) That the project (including screening) only go as far south as the point at which the land starts sloping downward toward the
pond. The reason for this is that I do not believe that adequate screening can be installed on the slope.
2) That there be a solid screen of coniferous spruce trees on the south and west sides of the project — screening 95% at a depth of
25 feet.
3) That any living screening that dies be replaced as long as the solar panels exist on the proposed parcel. (over)
4) That I be compensated for the devaluing of my land, the value of which will be determined based on final plans and upon my
consulting with an attorney.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Lori Jarvinen
4097 Wild Goose Lane
White Bear Township, MN 55110
651-315-3767
LJJ777@gmail.com