03/28/1994 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 1 COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 28, 1994 Robert Emery, 6931 Lake Drive noted that when the City purchased the wetlands behind his business, he was offered $1,200.00 for almost two (2) acres. He hired an attorney and eventually received $3,000.00. Mr. Emery explained that he has owned the property since 1972 and has tried to purchase the right-of-way in front of his property from the State. He explained that he has an illegal access. However, he noted that he pays $4,000.00 in taxes each year. Since this is State owned property, Mr. Emery said he could see no reason whatever, why a private individual has to be assessed for a road on State property. They have not allowed him to purchase the property but are allowing him to pay to have a service road constructed. He admitted it could be a nice benefit, and said he had no objection to the service road but did object to paying for it. Mrs. Hopkins said they also have been trying for many years to get property returned to the adjacent landowners. She noted that unless the State will sell or return the property in front of her house they cannot sell it because the City took the land in the back for drainage purposes so close to the back of the house, the property is not a legal property. Mrs. Hopkins said that it appears that the City is asking her to spend over $11,000.00 that they will never get back plus they will have to construct a driveway to the service road at an additional cost. She felt it was not fair or right that they are being asked to spend over $11,000.00 for the benefit of only one marketable property. Mrs. Hopkins said she did not feel the assessment was right and asked the City Council to reconsider it. Mayor Reinert explained that the City has no control of the State portion of the proposed improvement. Mr. Hanson further explained that when the State purchased the right-of-way, probably before most of the current landowners purchased their land, they view the right-of-way as giving them access control and they may in the future enforce their right. MnDOT views the right-of-way as their property just as a landowner views his property as his own. John Stodola, Representing Lots 6 and 7, Goldens Rice Lake Terrace, owned by Flarity, Buzick, Stodola - Mr. Stodola explained that he and his partners have talked to all of their neighbors about this proposal as well as several Council Members, Mr. Schumacher and Mr. Volk. He explained that the property owners feel that this proposed improvement is being pushed on them. It is not a matter of whether or not the property owners want the improvement but a matter of being threatened. Mr. Stodola said he understood under the terms of the City Charter the property owners have the right to say "no". He said that he feels it hard to believe that the vehicle count is 5000 per day. PAGE 9 13;