05.01 - Req for Tax Abatement-Oppidan, Public Hearing

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`.. To: City Clerk, Sandy Peine CC: Pequot Lakes City Council Members Mayor Nancy Adams, Cathy Malecha, Craig Nagel, Tom Ryan, Dave Sjoblad From: Brian & Kristin Larsen Property owners 4586 County Rd. 11, Pequot Lakes 30924 Heath St., Pequot Lakes RE: Oppidan Public Hearing We are writing this letter in part because we are not able to attend the public hearing regarding the proposed Oppidan project and would like our letter to be read and then submitted to the public record as an official comment. We have lived in the Pequot Lakes area for the last six years and enjoy it enough to have invested in the community. Having properties within city limits, we are disheartened that the City Council would consider approving the use of TIF or, most recently, the request for tax abatement for the Oppidan project. Undoubtedly you are aware if the City Council approves this measure tonight you are opening the door for other investors to come forth L with the same request. Our next point pertains to hearing a great deal about a "level playing field" and how Oppidan deserves to be at the same level as other businesses in Pequot Lakes that it will compete with. To say that Oppidan should be on the same playing field as competing businesses in Pequot, when just arriving in the community, is absurd. They should have to gain the support of the community and pay taxes as the rest of us do! The use of TIF money or tax abatement to subsidize some retailers at the expense of others is inexcusable. Thank you for your time and your consideration to vote NO for the Oppidan tax abatement request.