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1 <br />April 30, 2024 <br /> <br />Dear Mayor and City Council, <br /> <br />We, the residents of Everton Ave. N, are reaching out to you regarding the proposed Enterprise <br />Energy Site Plan and IUP Request to build a solar farm in the middle of our small neighborhood. <br /> <br />At the Planning Commission meeting of Thursday, April 11, 2024, City Planner, Rachel Juba, <br />gave her support of this project, stating “The proposed solar farm is compatible with the <br />present character of the surrounding area.” Although several residents of the neighborhood <br />stated their disagreement and concerns about the project, the Planning Commission approved <br />the project and forwarded it to the City Council for your review. <br /> <br />The proposal is to build a solar farm on the one and only open 12-acre parcel on the East side of <br />the 15000 block of Everton Ave N. This neighborhood consists of 10 parcels, approximately 10- <br />16 acres each. The only parcel currently without a home on it, is the 12-acre parcel identified in <br />the proposal. <br /> <br /> <br />We respectfully ask for your thoughtful consideration, as this project is clearly not at all <br />compatible with the present character of our neighborhood and the surrounding area, including <br />the high and medium density townhomes that buffer the South, East and North sides of our <br />neighborhood lots, with a view of the proposed building site. <br /> <br />Flanking the North side of the proposed solar farm project is a 12-acre hobby farm owned by <br />Leroy & Mary Peltier. The Peltiers built their home here in the early 1970’s and raised their <br />children here. In addition to raising their children and now grandchildren here, the Peltiers <br />have tended to their livestock, as well as their many flower and vegetable gardens. Currently <br />they have two horses, Bullet and Al, who freely roam their open pasture. The proposed solar <br />farm would abut the entire South side of this picturesque hobby farm property. <br /> <br />Flanking the South side of the proposed solar farm is a 10-acre hobby farm owned by Laura <br />Syring. Laura purchased her property in the Summer of 2003, and was the “New kid on the <br />block” in this established and close-knit neighborhood for many years. In addition to her full- <br />time career, Laura has volunteered with several animal rescue organizations over the years, and <br />her little hobby farm has become the forever home for dozens of abused and neglected farm <br />and domestic animals. The rescued animals have included many breeds of horses, mini horses, <br />goats, chickens, ducks, a guinea hen, a peacock, dogs, cats, and more. The farm is currently <br />home to 6 horses, 2 mini horses, 1 pony, 5 chickens, 3 dogs and 2 cats. The proposed solar <br />farm would abut the entire North side of this picturesque animal sanctuary property as well. <br />The project proposal states the solar panels will be approximately 10 feet tall and shall not <br />exceed 15 feet in height when at maximum tilt. The proposal also states the solar panels will be <br />permanently fixed to the South. Although the setback requirements of the proposal will be met <br />according to City Code (100 feet from all property lines, 200 feet from any principal structure