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RUSSELL & DEBORAH SUNDQUIST 2604 EDGERTON ST. LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA 55117 February 7, 2006 To: Mayor Blesener, Council members Rick Montour, John Keis, Jim LaVelle, Barbara Allan. Re: Streetside sportcourt at 2580 Edgerton St. Dear Gentlemen and Madam: I own the home at 2604 Edgerton, located one lot north of the home made hockey rink that was installed at 2580 Edgerton. I understand this structure was installed without a building permit. This is unfortunate. The involvement of a professional city employee would have allowed the neighbors to avoid having to align themselves either for or against this rink. The City Council will consider a request for a conditional use permit for this rink. It will also consider amending the zoning ordinance to allow any city resident to build a streetside "sportscourt ". I am writing this letter to state my opposition to amending the zoning ordinance. I would however support a conditional use permit to allow my neighbor to keep his rink. I believe homemade sports courts placed along our streets will diminish the appearance of our city. In the 20 years I have lived in Little Canada many homeowners have invested significant amounts of money in their homes, especially along Edgerton and around Lake Gervais. In 1992 I removed a 35 year old house from my lot and built a much larger and more expensive home. As a result of these significant investments by homeowners, Little Canada has become a more attractive city to live in and we have all benefited from rapidly increasing real estate values. Little Canada is no longer the third tier city that it was when I moved here in 1986. The streets or "face" of our community should not be changed just to accommodate one person who circumvented the permit process. We run the risk that in the future a traveler on our streets will view unsightly and deteriorating hockey rinks, bike, skateboard or rollerblade ramps, banked ovals for highly muffled dirt bikes or go- carts, and paintball courses. It's also possible that some creative homeowner may wish to install permanent boxing or wrestling rings, or a highwire or trapeze set with safety nets. I don't think we want this to be our public face. These structures should be placed away from the street.