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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHugo City Council Letter (POST-EDIT).pdf Dear Mayor Weidt and City Council Members Re: Everton Avenue Proposed Solar Farm Date: May 2nd 2024 From Levi Shepherd& Lydia Pleau Dear Mr Mayor and City Council members, I am writing this letter to you as part of the community that surrounds the proposed parcel of land that is located on the east of Everton Avenue. I am a member of the community that lives in the townhomes of the Waters Edge home association, located between Oneka Parkway and Everton Ave N. I am writing this on behalf of myself, and my fellow residents and owners located in Waters Edge. We are unanimously against the proposed solar farm. We feel it would detract from the character and essence of the neighborhood. I have outlined this in my letter below and also provide other testimonies to the fact, and included drone video footage. The main letter is four pages long, the remaining pages are described below. Thank you for taking the time to read this in its entirety. Also of note, Lydia and I both have real estate backgrounds and Lydia currently holds a realtor license. Our History and Homes in Hugo: When Lydia and I first moved to Hugo in 2012, we bought a townhome in Pineview Meadows, off of Flay Avenue behind the Hugo Equipment Company. At the time we were considering two homes: one in Hugo and another townhome in the city of Champlin. From the first moment we came into Hugo driving down Frenchman, seeing the businesses and cornfields, we fell in love. Hugo's character and charm are readily evident at first sight. Hugo is a modern day town, all the essential commodities you need, with simplistic rural charm, and located only minutes away from the bustling St. Paul/White Bear Lake communities. We chose Hugo over Champlin for this alone, as the townhome was more expensive and not as nice as the Champlin one. Lydia is from Ham Lake and I am from Kansas City. This was our first home. While the townhome off of Flay needed some love, Hugo was what we were buying into and making our home. Then in 2015, when we could afford to step up in house quality and corresponding mortgage, we quickly jumped on the chance to move into a townhome in Waters Edge. Why? While it was nicer and slightly bigger to meet our growing needs, it had an outstanding view of the water retention ponds. I mean gorgeous views of the lakes, perfectly framed in with the cast iron classic streetlights on Oneka Parkway. However, two years later we had to sell and move out west for three years. When we got the chance to move back to Minnesota we didn't hesitate to come right back to Waters Edge! We could have gone anywhere, but to us Hugo was home. As I said Lydia grew up in Ham Lake, and I grew up in Kansas City, but Hugo is where we want to be. Hugo is our home. When we got the chance to buy another townhome in Waters Edge it was off of Fanning Drive. The seller's agent said to us on the phone "You can't beat this view in all of the association! It's breathtaking!" Lydia and I felt that was a hard bar to clear, given we had a "lake view", but have to say, after living here for 4 years and counting, she was right. My townhome faces the Everton lot in question. It is the view directly out of my living room, front door, and third story master bedroom suite. can't tell you how many mornings I have gotten up and opened my curtains, just to admire the view. From the horses that run on both lots flanking the proposed solar farm, to the fog that blankets the landscape in the early mornings. I gave the City Planning Commission, one of my many countless pictures that I have taken of the fields across from me. It truly is remarkable to have that sort of untouched beauty to look at every day. This is not a boast, but Lydia and I have the means to buy a bigger house somewhere else, but we have chosen to stay here for no other reason than we love it here, we love it simply for the character of the neighborhood, its aesthetics, and its views. We love it so much, we in fact attempted to put an offer on the property in question, back in 2021, but never got real reciprocation from the listing agent. As people with real estate backgrounds, we are aware of how much a home with a view means to people. We all know the saying about real estate that "Its all about location, location, location". People are willing to pay a premium to have a nice backdrop surrounding their house and a nice neighborhood. I am not talking about property values here, I am talking about the fact that it deeply matters to people where they live and what they are looking at, and people are willing to pay more for nicer views and for the character of a neighborhood. I tried to dig into the city code to understand the Council's written description of the character of the neighborhood and this is what I found: "The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood." and then Section (3) Spirit and intent, goes on stating "The granting of the variance would be in keeping with the spirit and intent of this chapter and with the policies of the city's comprehensive plan." don't mean this provocatively, but this wasn't of any help for me understanding what character of a neighborhood means. So I fall back on what character means from a society standpoint and Merriam Webster Dictionary's definition; and to me Character is "the qualities distinct to an individual". To me that is what character is. In society, we are often judged (rightly so) by our character. Who are we? What are we about? This is what defines us. To me the character of the neighborhood is just that. What defines our neighborhood, what qualities and characteristics does it have that makes it, us, and our home? We are a pocket of the Hugo community, whose character and charm is that of dozens of large lot single family homes, with dozens of acres of green grass, horses pasture, and other wildlife; surrounded by hundreds of townhomes that are flanked by these fields on one side and Oneka lakes on the other border. As a townhome community we take great pride in that character and our community. want to double down and add this point, that we, as citizens of the townhomes, take great pride in our neighborhood's character. But, I also want to provide written proof that the character and essence of our neighborhood matters to us! Lydia went through the MLS listings database that she has access to as a realtor, and just along the West side of Farnham Drive where the townhomes are located along the lots of Everton, she found 35 listings dating back to 2005. That is literally almost every single townhome that has a view of the horse pastures off Everton! These listings date back to 2005, when Pulte began building these townhomes! From the very conception of this neighborhood, there has been great pride and great value to the homeowners, that we have amazing views of untouched pasture with horses and wildlife! Again, people went out of their way to talk about the character of the neighborhood! Here is just one of the almost three dozen listing descriptions, but the rest are copied down below. ****** One of the nicest units in desirable Hugo neighborhood....Enjoy grazing horses and beautiful sunsets out front windows. Must see this feel-good home. ******* I am not saying this sarcastically, but I don't know of one realtor or homeowner that would brag about "Sit out on your deck with a cup of coffee and enjoy the industrial view of the 12 acre solar farm". As someone with a real estate background, I know for a fact agents and homeowners would go out of their way to not mention a solar farm. People aren't anti- renewable energy. However, people are against having to stare at it up close everyday, in a home that in today's struggling real estate economy, are paying a premium hard-earned dollar to even own. Something I found of profound interest, is the fact there are several townhomes off of Farnham Ave that still have the same original owners... for 15-18 years. That is unheard of in townhomes. Just taking a guess due to our background in real estate, I am going to assume the views have something to do with it. Considering all the homes that don't have a view have sold a handful of times over the same period of time. I want to end with this: We, in Waters Edge, take great pride in our neighborhood. Lydia as a realtor doesn't know of a single townhome community that offers the views of the surrounding neighborhood of a lake and horse pastures, period. There aren't any townhomes in Blaine that offer these views (this character), nor are there townhomes in Forest Lake, White Bear lake, Maplewood, Stillwater, or Woodbury that offer a neighborhood with this character, charm, and aesthetics. Please, I ask of you as your constituent, don't take that away from us. I will end my letter with the listing descriptions from the townhomes along Farnham, French, and Evergreen that have a view of the fields off Everton. Again, 35 listings alone that proudly boast and bear witness to the character (charming view) that homes and the neighborhood offer. I could have pulled homes off Oneka to show of their listings boasting of the lake views, but that is not in question of being developed into a metal and glass solar farm. Thank you for hearing us on this matter. Sincerely, Residents at Waters Edge. WATERS EDGE LISTING DESCRIPTIONS 5027 Evergeen Dr N Unit 1 MLS#5286720 Year: 2019 Ideally situated on a large corner lot with beautiful views of privacy and nature. 5027 Evergeen Dr N Unit 6 MLS#4373682 Year: 2013 Nice townhome in great area with views out front and back. 5027 Evergeen Dr N Unit 5 MLS#4818881 Year: 2017 Private balcony overlooks quiet green space. 5091 French Dr N MLS#4390340 Year: 2013 One of the nicest units in desirable Hugo neighborhood....Enjoy grazing horses and beautiful sunsets out front windows. Must see this feel-good home. 5085 French Dr N MLS#6175991 Year: 2022 Beautiful, spacious multi-level unit overlooking a serene view that includes both living room &family room spaces. 5085 French Dr N MLS#4422600 Year: 2013 BEAUTIFUL VIEWS, SWIMMING POOL, CLUB HOUSE, FITNESS CENTER, PLAYGROUND, BASKETBALL COURT AND PARTY ROOM COME WITH THIS 3 BEDROOM 3 BATHROOM HOME, OPEN FLOOR PLAN, LARGE VAULTED MASTER BEDROOM, GAS FIREPLACE, DECK, 3 FINISHED LEVELS, A MUST SEE! 5079 French Dr N MLS#4311597 Year: 2012 Very open, light filled w/awesome country views. 5079 French Dr N MLS#4517915 Year: 2014 Sun-drenched rooms, beautiful nature views w/remarkable sunsets, pool, exercise room in complex & playground. 5073 French Dr N MLS#6406343 Year: 2023 Best location in the entire community overlooking open space and pasture! 5073 French Dr N MLS#4349788 Year: 2013 Beautiful, light filled end unit w/ views of pasture land. 5051 French Dr N MLS#4565876 Year: 2015 End unit has the best location in Water's Edge. Open view: Picturesque pasture, horses! 5051 French Dr N MLS#4913026 Year: 2018 Immaculate end unit with the best location in Waters Edge! Home enjoys amazing views of scenic wetlands/horse pastures, large side yard, stainless appliances, extra parking, pool, workout room, banquet room, clubhouse, playgrounds. 5056 French Dr N MLS#3831987 Year: 2009 Situated on 80 acres of natural wetlands and open spaces, yet just north of the city of St. Paul in Hugo, this Home is part of a master-planned community, 3 bedroom 2.5 bath at 1,909 square feet. 15082 Farnham Ave N MLS#3816500 Year: 2009 Wonderful Windows w/Great Views of Horses and Prairie Grasses-Wonderful Planned Neighborhood w/ Swim Pool, Walk Paths, School+++You Will Not Be Disappointed! Hurry At This Price! 15058 Farnham Ave N MLS #4389071 Year: 2013 End Unit adjacent to nature preserve. 3 Bedrooms up. Huge Master with private bath and whirlpool. Spacious kitchen with upgrade pantry & stainless steel. 2 Car garage. Laundry on main level. Great View! 15032 Farnham Ave N MLS#6141425 Year: 2022 Welcome to this rare, highly sought after end unit townhome in the lovely Waters Edge neighborhood. Privacy abounds as this unit is positioned to capitalize on the tranquil views of woods, wetlands, and pastures. 15032 Farnham Ave N MLS#3876511 Year: 2010 Not your typical REO! End unit overlooking wildlife! 5039 Evergreen Dr N List#:3238781 Year: 2006 Beautiful views, Preserved wetlands and open spaces. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 1 MLS#3804823 Year: 2009 2BR, 2BA townhome end unit with fantastic nature views. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 2 MLS#3857885 Year: 2009 This beautiful townhome overlooks a wildlife area. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 1 MLS#4540489 Year: 2014 Fantastic END UNIT in Waters Edge Community w/great light &views. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 4 MLS#4745853 Year: 2016 Roomy 2BRs & 2 BAs w great, wide open views from the deck. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 1 MLS#4825706 Year: 2017 Sweet end unit, deck overlooking horse pasture. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 2 MLS#4938799 Year: 2018 Great views from the peaceful deck looking into wilderness where there are horses running! Awesome!! 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 4 MLS#5020240 Year: 2018 One of the more private views in this development! This 2 bedroom/2 bath with over sized garage overlooks wetlands from your deck, vs. views of other townhomes! 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 3 MLS#6304948 Year: 2022 Enjoy great views from the private back deck balcony, overlooking prairie grasses and horses. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 2 MLS#6137447 Year: 2021 Great views from the peaceful deck; looking into wilderness. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 6 MLS#3854840 Year: 2009 Beautiful nature views! 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 6 MLS#4774830 Year: 2016 This one is nice and what a great back drop, farm behind with occassional views of horses out to pasture, location in townhomes is important and this one is great! 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 4 MLS#4702466 Year: 2016 Roomy 2BRs & 2 BAs w great, wide open views from the deck. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 4 MLS#4468346 Year: 2014 Convenient, Comfortable, Independent Living! Deck views of horses grazing &open space. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 4 MLS#4636796 Year: 2015 The deck overlooks wetlands/pastureland. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 2 MLS#3545026 Year: 2008 GREAT VIEW FROM THE DECK. 5039 Evergreen Dr N Unit 8 MLS#3963684 Year: 2010 This tastefully decorated &well maintained end unit features 2BR/2BA, convenient upper Ivl laundry, private deck overlooking nature & many amenities including club house w/ fitness room, pool, party room & playground. END OF LISTING DESCRIPTIONS & LETTER