Fairfield neighborhood and Eden Prairie residents

Eden Prairie, MN

November 23, 2013

City Of Eden Prairie

City Center

8080 Mitchell Road

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Re: Green neighborhood development project

Dear City of Eden Prairie leadership (Mayor, City Counsel, City Manager, Planning Commission):

This letter is in reference to the green neighborhood development project, currently being pursued by the City of Eden Prairie. You have no doubt, received a significant amount of feedback from residents through the initial stages of this effort. Please let this letter serve as a consolidated point of view from a group of concerned residents, aligned around our primary concerns. This is intended to provide a focused outline of issues we would like you to address.

We understand that the development of the land is likely inevitable. That said, we hope that the city will address the primary issues that your constituents have as part of any development efforts. In order to be concise we have outlined three primary concerns below.

Issue one: traffic through adjacent neighborhoods

We understand that there was always a potential for a development on this property, which included the connection of Thatcher Road to Endicott trail, but that plan included the extension of the adjacent neighborhood with similar lots sizes, therefore many fewer homes compared to what is currently being propsed. The most recent plan calls for 36 homes and a connection to Thatcher Road and Scenic Heights.

The current plan, due to the number of homes proposed and only one connection to the existing neighborhood, will lead to substantially more traffic through the adjacent neighborhood. The Fairfield neighborhood has many young children who enjoy riding bikes, scooters, etc. We fear for their safety and the overall impact this plan has on our current quiet streets.

As an option, please consider having one entrance to the new development, from Scenic Heights Road. We know that there are accessibility concerns with this concept, but there are other examples of neighborhoods in this city with single access points. The neighborhood on the southwest corner of Eden Prairie Road and Pioneer trail is one

Issue two: density of development

We understand that the city needs to meet certain criteria around affordability of these new homes in order to purchase the land. The current plan calls for 36 houses in this new development. Originally the expansion of Thatcher Road was to be an extension of Fairfield, therefore much few houses as compared to the current proposed plan.

Our concern is that this higher density development will impact our property values and quality of life.

As an option, please consider looking at alternatives that would allow for fewer homes with similar lot and home sizes.

Issue three: audible and visual impacts

As a result of the 212 highway expansion project, a large noise and visual reducing berm along the north and west sides was created at the urging of the adjacent neighborhood. Before that project the lot was originally heavily tree lined and provided a natural barrier to traffic noise and Eden Prairie Road.

Given the density of the development and associated small lot sizes, new homes and streets would be built very close to adjacent properties.

We are concerned that there is not a defined plan to address the noise issues associated with removing the current berm. We are also concerned that the proximity of the new homes and streets to existing properties will dramatically impact quality of life, and potentially home values. Much of the property is elevated above the adjacent neighborhood. Imagine looking out your back door and seeing a house sitting fifteen feet off the back of your yard, and associated exterior and street lights, when your current view clear.

As an option, please consider solutions that address the noise concerns such as maintaining a berm or installing some other type of substantial noise barrier. Additionally, having larger lots, adjacent to the existing neighborhood, and/or a larger “buffer” zone between could help address the visual concerns.

We believe that all of these issues need to be thoughtfully considered and addressed before the city moves forward with any plans for development. We also believe that no matter what ultimately happens with this property, it is the city’s responsibility to make sure that the needs of existing residents are taken into account and ultimately met.

Know that we are not opposed to this development project, even though it will have a negative impact on the street traffic and privacy we currently enjoy. We simply want the city to take current tax paying constituents into account as a primary consideration when considering this project.

Although no one person speaks for the residents identified in this letter, for the sake of efficiency you may direct any response to:

Christopher Atterberry

chris@ironhammer.com

612-803-0124