HomeMy WebLinkAboutLeonard & Julie Orth Leonard & Julie Orth
9~0 Ridge Drive Laurel, MT 59044
February 25, 2004
To the Laurel City Council:
We, the undersigned, reside in the High Point subdivision. We are neighbors on Ridge Drive, and
have lived in our hemes from two to twenty-six years. We have only recently become aware of the
deliberations the Council has been engaged in regarding the complaints against Willow Pederson
and her request for a land use variance at 1707 East Maryland. Perhaps we were nai've, but we
must admit that we have been surprised to learn that our homes are under the zoning jurisdiction
of the City of Laurel, and that many of the prerogatives High Point residents have enjoyed over the
past 26 years are now in jeopardy.
We have recently attended a few Council meetings, and read through the draft minutes of the City-
County Planning Board meeting of February 5th. It has dismayed us to learn that actions taken
over the past 26 years, as well as actions taken recently could have such profound effects on our
quality of living, our land values and our livelihood. Furthermore, it is unsettling that these actions
can be quietly taken without ensuring full participation of those whom the actions will effect. Given
the gravity of the decisions you are weighing, it would seem a small cost to mail letters to each
resident in this subdivision to ensure our informed involvement.
Quite simply, we appeal to the Council to take actions which would come as close to honoring the
original covenants of the subdivision as possible. We appreciate the thoughtful recommendations
of Cai Cummins to honor the original intent of these properties by allowing a modest number of
animals, and for the Board to "direct him (Cai) to do some research on alternative zoning that
would be more satisfactory for the neighborhood." In our immediate neighborhood, we enjoy 2
llamas, a donkey, and one young girl hopes to purchase a horse with the money she has been
saving. These animals provide recreation and keep the grass and weeds eaten down. Many
residents do not presently have animals on their properties, but value the rural lifestyle which we
thought we had purchased. Please work with us to maintain this Montana Life Style.
Sin~
Leonard & Julie, Orth, i)20Ridge Dr.
Sal'~in and Laude Gebhard, 929 Ridge Dr.
Gerald and Gloria Fjelstad, 1026 Ridge Dr. J L:j FE~i :i' S 2004
CITY OF