Should Scott County allow additional/enhanced land use options in the hamlets of Lydia, Marystown, Blakeley, Union Hill, and St. Patrick?

Hi, I would like my property added to the proposed hamlet in Union Hill. I also would like smaller lot sizes to be considered for this hamlet. Currently they are 1 per 40 acres.

My name is Andy Jensen, a Lydia resident at 20636 Parkfield Avenue. I appreciate the opportunity to attend the informational town meeting at the Spring Lake town hall earlier this week regarding the Lydia Hamlet proposal. I do have feelings towards the approval for future development options for our small area, as my comment card was filled out - but I feel further explanation is required.

I was a Shakopee resident for 14 years, buying my first house at 20 years old. After I met, and married my wife, we decided Shakopee was not the city we wanted to start a family in, and the house was also was not in our future. We sold, and looked for another house for over one year before finding the house we are in now. It took a LOT of looking, but within seconds of finding our home on Parkfield Avenue - we knew it was the one. We have been happy residents with fantastic neighbors for almost 8 years now. I like being involved with projects and community, and appreciate improvement.

To start, I am for improving our small area of the community - within reason. Our small area of Lydia isn't the prettiest of little stops along the highway, but it doesn't need to be a metropolis either. If my neighbors feel like the current rules are holding them back from possible home improvements, and they have a legitimate reason for an amendment to an old statute to proceed with their improvement, I feel they should be heard out.

As far as allowing any other than SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL improvements, I am strongly against it.

We do not need any commercial buildings. The argument is that Lydia once had a bank, gas station, feed mill, etc, is irrelevant. If the need for these commercial buildings/business' were still needed - they would still be there. We are 8 miles from Jordan, 5 miles from Prior Lake, and 10 miles from New Prague. Not far enough from any to be inconvenienced for lifes simple necessities.

My concern is the extreme decreased value for our residential properties, specifically mine and a handful of close neighbors. I moved out of the "city" for a little peace and quiet. To allow a convenience store, micro brew, restaurant, an additional small office building (we already have one), etc is not welcome in my opinion. A majority of the undeveloped land in the Lydia Hamlet is wetland, and undevelopable.

One of a few spots that are currently developed with a non-residential structures include Prime Time, the small dive bar with sloped floors and side of the road ambiance. It's plenty for us.

The other property - the old school was purchased (along with the old bank, and the pole building on the south side of Lydia) - by one owner who does NOT reside in Lydia. They are 100% behind commercial development of course, but have zero regard for the residents who live here. They are the type of company that would welcome a 24/7 gas station, surrounded with bright lights, constant traffic of non-residents stopping for gas, snacks, and general gas station stuff - causing congestion and noise from car washes, and additional vehicles in the area. Not to mention the noise, fuel trucks required to fill the tanks, the general constant flow of vendors to replenish the snacks and concessions, etc. It is no secret for the (unintentional) lack of respect that gas station users have for the small town that surrounds it. They would be the business that would push for it.

The same goes for any other commercial establishment. A restaurant would invite not only patron traffic, but multiple food vendor trucks in the early morning, dumpsters filled with restaurant trash, a HUGE septic system, and noise. Anyone who has been within close proximity of a restaurant dumpster (or pressurized septic mound on a busy day) knows they have a strong distinct odor. In addition to that - all commercial buildings have enough lights on them, and around them, to be lit up like a stadium. As if the glow from Mystic Lake Casino isn't enough, now we would allow it in our own little town? No way.

My property is directly to the west of the old school building, across the street from the Campbell property (20611 Parkfield), who's property backs up to the old school property. Eventually the Campbells will move, and her property would be prime for commercial development. (The school owners have already proven they are the type of company willing to gobble up any property they feel will have a use for in the future.) Campbell property starts on the NE corner of Hwy 10 & Parkfield Avenue at the west side of Lydia. HOWEVER, to allow a commercial building in place of her house would greatly reduce the property value of the houses that surround it - mostly affecting my neighbors (20570 Parkfield), and my family (20636 Parkfield), but ALL neighbors to the Lydia area would feel the negitive change. To live in peace and quiet out of town has been a dream for me, as it is for most residents in the area. To allow the availability for an option of a gas station, restaurant, or similar would destroy all of that, including cutting the value of my home in half, and I don't want it to become an option for anyone.

Imagine buying my home, on a fully developed, dead end residential street, with mostly 10 acre properties (fantastic demographic) - only to find out a decade later that the possibility of a commercial building has the opportunity (even if slight) to become the only thing I would see out my front window, and every morning when I leave my driveway, or across the street from my front yard where my kids and I fly kites. You too would be outraged.

I would not have any problems with changes made to the rules for the improvements to the SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTAL zoning rules - but that's it.

I have talked with many neighbors on this topic, and I'm sure they share many of my feelings, but this can only officially represent my household. I hope they also reach out to our county regarding this matter.

Please include me in any future public meetings and decisions related to my neighborhood development. My community is important to me, and I take it very seriously.

Thank you.

Respectively,

Andy Jensen
20636 Parkfield Avenue
Jordan, MN 55352