Tonight

Tonight was pretty sweet actually. Scott and Richard came over. We played Axis and Allies for a while, and then Scott and I watched V for Vendetta. That is a sweet movie. Anyway, to the important part. Our neighbors are selling their house and moving. They want to sell to a builder that will bulldoze their house and put two massive houses on the lot. This is called a panhandle lot. Mom and Dad disagree with this for several reasons, and there's a zoning meeting tomorrow at 7p to determine whether or not the company will be allowed to do so. Here's the letter and speech that Mom intends to give tomorrow. I need suggestions for improvements.

Letter:
Dear Mr. Bickford,

We oppose converting the {{last name removed}} property located at {{address removed}} into a pan handle lot because that action will cause the destruction of the neighborhood’s ambiance.

We anticipated that the {{last name removed}}’s house would be torn down or extensively remodeled when we heard they planned to move, but we had no idea that someone would propose to put two houses there. We thought we were safe from that type of over crowding because the Township put a stop to it in our neighboring subdivision of Concord Hills. Please put a stop to it in ours as well.

The best characteristic of {{address removed}} is the privacy afforded by the large size of our lots. We bought our house on this private drive because we cherish this privacy. It’s like living in the country without the long drive. Our yards all have mature trees and shrubs which not only make them look like parks but also enhance our treasured privacy.

Since we moved here in 1991 we haven’t worried about the section of our front yard that is owned by the {{last name removed}} because until now they have been excellent protectors of our beautiful neighborhood. Unfortunately, we find ourselves filled with anxiety over what will become of our front yards when a stranger buys it.

We are further concerned with the traffic, dust and noise created from not one but two construction projects.

The letter of intent from Buckhead Homes states that the {{address removed}} property is 1.46 acres. Apparently that is including the street and sections of five neighbor’s front yards. The usable area of the lot is less than the 1.46 acres stated.

If the unthinkable happens and the zoning board approves this request, who will be responsible for repairing our private drive after months of construction traffic inevitably damage it?
What about the drainage issues that occur with new construction? How will the Township ensure the existing neighbors do not get unwanted water run off?

Please do not allow Buckhead Homes to build two homes on a lot that has, for 53 years, had one home on it. Please do not allow Buckhead Homes to destroy our unique and beautiful neighborhood. Please enforce the zoning rule of disallowing pan handle lots.

Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. William {{last name removed}}


Speech:
I believe panhandle lots are a detriment to any neighborhood, so you can understand why I am opposed to one being created on my own street.

1. Whenever guests visit our home they invariably comment on how beautiful and unique our setting is. This distinctiveness is caused mainly by the large size of our lots and the existence of mature trees and shrubs, some of which I helped plant in our yards. I want to preserve this rural ambiance.

2. My other concerns are more tangible, such as the dust, noise and traffic created by the construction of two homes instead of one, not to mention the damage that heavy trucks will cause to our private drive. These are concerns that affect all panhandle lots.

3. Our street in particular is very poorly suited for the creation of such a lot. I have concerns about the surface water drainage issues that will be created by the project. One of the proposed homes will interrupt a major drainage channel. The water runoff will negatively impact that home, as well as the rest of the neighborhood.

4. The letter of intent from Buckhead Homes states that the {{last name removed}}’s lot is 1.46 acres. This must be including the road and road frontage of five neighbors. The usable portion of the lot is less than the amount stated. For over fifteen years, we have trusted the {{last name removed}} family with the protection of our front yard. Until now, they have admirably lived up to this trust. Now I worry what will happen to my front yard when strangers own it.

In conclusion, I am asking the Board to uphold Section 3-5.16 of the Sycamore Township resolution, which disallows the creation of panhandle lots and to follow the precedent that this body set in Concord Hills.

AdvTHANKSance, Eric