INFORMATION #6 08-18-1997Mr. Steve Ach
City Planner
Elk River City Hall
13065 Orono Road
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Mr. Ach,
This correspondence is a followup of a telephone conversation we had earlier this spring regarding
the holding pond that is directly east of the new Elk River Liquor Store. This holding pond is apparently
part of Hillside Estates. We bought the "D.A.I~E." house and therefore reside directly east of the
pond.
I am writing this letter to voice our concern about the appearance of the pond. It has been the topic
of many discussions with surrounding neighbors. It has the appearance of an unkempt slough with
a fence around it. It appears to be overtaken by noxious weeds that are allowed to to go to seed.
There are a few desiduous trees that have been planted, however, some of those have diex[ There
are no evergreens, nor bushes that would help eliminate the weed problem and attract the wildlife
that once frequented that pond. It certainly is not an attraction to the neighborhood, nor to the
city of Elk River, however, it does have the potential to be a neighborhood asset. I'm sure that on
the original plans regarding the Hillside Development, it appeared much more attractive on those
drawings.
My next area of concern is a storm sewer that is in my back yard, at 19334 Dodge Street. This storm
sewer has a heavy metal cover on it and everytime we have a significant rainfall, this cover pops up,
allowing the water to surge out taking the lawn and large quantities of dirt along with it. It also creates
a very dangerous situation in that someone could fall into this storm sewer. (it is large enough for an
adult to enter). The city has been out several times to replace the cover, and the last time they came
out they actually entered the storm sewer and discovered a junction between the storm sewer in
our yard and the pond that is blocked off. This blockage, we are told, was created by the developer's
contractor. This whole situation seems to be one that is "everyone elses" problem. Because of the
potential danger, is there anyway that this could be rectified by the appropriate party.
Sincerely,
19334 Dodge St NW
Elk River, MN 55330