Deforestation Frustration

For the last three days I have watched and listened as my neighbors 1.5 acre wooded lot has been clear cut and turned into a pile of logs for lumber, piles of firewood and a massive pile of brush to be burned. To say I am totally bummed is an under statement. This is all part of the expansion of 40th St SW into 4 lanes. My property is also being slightly affected and I’ve been in negotiations with MNDOT but have not settled yet.
Sitting on my deck the view used to be quiet woods. Now I see a bare ravine, a complete view of the road with the neighbors house and trees gone, two houses further down the road that were blocked by trees before. And laying in bed last night, I now have two street lights that shine thru my window. Of course the road noise will be a factor also. And to think that the DOT person said it would have minimal impact on my property value.
I understand progress but clear cutting the lot has nothing to do with lanscaping for the roadway. I see it as a way for somebody to make a few bucks on timber. I’m just venting but it is pretty sad to see this all take place.

The 20 acres of horse farm behind me with rolling hills & beautiful pasture is now $650,000 homes. The trees planted here in 1979 which create such a scenic view, luckily fit into the scope of the developers design. Has my propery value increased ? Surely, and so have my taxes

Caught between a rock & a hard place.

The sprawl is upon us.

Quote:

---

The sprawl is upon us.

---

With no where to hide!

I need to go hide on some ice or put more ice in my bourbon glass.

dave

The definition of urban sprawl: That’s where they cut all the trees down and name the streets after them.

When I think about the future for myself or my kids (when I have em!), no other topic of discussion bothers me more than that of population and urban sprawl. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the root of all evil, and unfortunately for us, of our own making.

Everyone needs somewhere to live, and it’s hypocritical to think they can “go someplace else”. It begins with us, and continues with those we elect and the people that teach and influence your children….If you don’t want lights shining in your window at night, or a two-lane road in your backyard, preventing it starts with you….leaving it to someone else to take care of or thinking you have no influence is only going to make the problem worse. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.