4.b) Letter from Ekdahl Estates HOARECEIVED Ekdahl Estates Homeowners Association
SEP 2 5 2015 Scandia, Minnesota 55073
CITY OF SCANDIA
September 20, 2015
Dear Ekdahl Estates Property Owners:
We have learned of a proposed variance application to build a 46'x 56' Superstructure 50 feet from
Ekdahl Estates property line along 205tn,The property is located at 20575 Saint Croix Trail N, north of
205tH
A building of this scale may adversely impact the Ekdahl Estates development. As members of the Ekdahl
Estates HOA, we may want to band together for united opposition. It is our understanding that the
Scandia planning commission plans on making a decision at the October 6, 2015 meeting. We encourage
homeowners to attend!
Attached is information prepared by Gail Dietrich as background information for the Scandia planning
commission and potentially for an attorney. If we involve an attorney, the funds would come out of the
HOA dues reserve.
Please let board members know if you have any concerns.
Ekdahl Estates HOA Board Members
President
Gail Dietrich
651-433-2782
Treasurer
Mike Torkelson
651-433-2421
Secretary
Nancy Stavish
651-433-4671
Sincerely,
Ekdahl Estates HOA Board Members
Ekdahl Estates Concerns with Proposed Variance Application to Build a 46'x 56' Superstructure 50'
From Ekdahl Estates Property Line Along 205tH
Ekdahl Estates is one of Scandia's premier cluster developments dedicated to OPEN SPACES and
GREENSPACE. Each lot was developed in accordance with covenants that minimize its footprint on the
beautiful St. Croix Valley and scenic byway. Because of that commitment/endeavor, we purchased lots
and built our homes within this community. We feel that allowing the applied for variance plus zoning
the property at 20575 St. Croix Trail N. as agriculture (currently classified as residential) negatively
impacts our development in the following manner:
1. Residential Designation
The purpose of a cluster community is open space and in obstructed sight lines within a residential
space. 205th is a residential township road where homes were developed with strict covenants in place
in accordance with this plan. These homes are assessed and taxed accordingly close to $500,000 each -
as residential property. We are concerned that the residential and environmental integrity of this
planned community will be forsaken and devalued with a superstructure building constructed within our
dedicated easement and open space.
2. Entrance to Proposed Building Site
The entrance that was recently permitted off 205th unto the Amundson property should never have
happened without aesthetic and environmental conditions imposed. We know that this is a township
road but this driveway is not in compliance with all other driveways required off 205th. Paved vs.
driving over a once manicured boulevard with gravel dumped on it has already deterred potential
buyers. It is aesthetically and environmentally detrimental to the area. There is no design, proper
grading, oil spills and gravel spills out onto 205th contaminating run off. We were told, by a former city
manager, that it was to accommodate access to the lower level of existing home for hardship reasons.
Now, it seems that it is being repurposed to accommodate a large building classified as "agriculture"
exposing 205th, a road that was exclusively built to accommodate a residential community, to
environmental damage and declined property values.
3. Drainage and Surrounding area Environmental Impact.
The Ekdahl Estates development (in order to comply with environmental impact concerns) was required
at its own expense to have an engineered design, professional construction, and an impervious liner
installed to create a drainage pond on property in question to contain run-off and erosion waters for
miles of surrounding countryside water all headed to the St. Croix River. This plan was to help other
neighbors and Co 52 from years of water erosion and run off problems. There is an engineered drainage
system in place between both properties in discussion. The environmental containment pond for run-
off and negatively impacting it and the engineers design must be considered or compromised. This
project was directed by the State of MN Environmental Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, the
Department of Natural Resources, as well as many representatives from both Washington County and
the Scandia Township. Mr. Amundson's property was greatly enhanced - from an abandoned gravel pit -
to an aesthetic pond even though designed to control erosion and run- off. He, the surrounding
community on Co 52, and Ekdahl Estates all benefitted from this environmental project and should not
be compromised by allowing this variance.
Side Notes / Questions
1. How many entrances are allowed into a residential lot? There is already another entrance off of Co
52 that accesses this property in existence
2. How much square footage of hard space (in the form of buildings) per square footage of green space
is allowed for construction of buildings per buildable acre? The greater portion of GREENSPACE
remaining on this property is designated to contain environmental runoff. This is unbuildable land and
as such is delineated from acreage when considering how many structures can be built on remaining
land. This was enforced during the development of Ekdahl Estates also.
3. What is the code for an agricultural building vs an accessory building? What is going to be in this
building? And will it be inspected? Animals or heavy equipment - neither are permissible near an
environmental holding pond site.
4. Wally Srock - local farmer - is still allowed to plant the field contained within Ekdahl Estates open
space but only with a pre -determined non-toxic and aesthetic crop. He has farmed the field for 35
years, more or less grand -fathered in. However, there is a required designed and managed buffer of
open space with ample natural vegetation and gradation for sediment settlement in place before runoff
continues to pond on property in question for variance. In deference to helping us preserve the integrity
of 205th - even though Mr. Srock knows it is a township road - he enters the field off of Highway 95,
NOT 205th, with his heavy equipment. We are trying to keep this road in GOOD shape!
These concerns and questions have been formulated and submitted by the Ekdahl Homeowners
Association.
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