I am a resident of Centerville, a beautiful small town on the brink of irreversible change. Our community is facing the proposed construction of a 90–110 unit apartment complex, the LaLonde Apartments. This development threatens to erase our town's charm and history by demolishing a home built in the 1800s that has overlooked Centerville Lake for generations. In its place, this immense, three-story complex would hover over our lake and elementary school, potentially becoming our city's eyesore after a few years of rental use.

The development plan necessitates leveling a scenic hill and removing large, mature trees to make room for an apartment building and surface parking lots - changes that are far from improvements for our city. Traffic will be affected significantly in the area and will make drop-offs/pick-ups for children at the adjacent elementary school more congested. It will also certainly contribute to increased traffic on Main Street and Centerville Road.

More concerning, the City Council is considering subsidizing this project with tax increment financing (TIF), which will waive 15 years' worth of taxes or $2.5 million dollars for the developer - an action that feels like an assault on all current taxpayers. TIF in Minnesota is generally used to help redevelop blighted areas, not to incent developers to build on one of the most desirable pieces of land in our city with spectacular views of the lake.

Using TIF for prime real estate also sets expectations and a precedent that developers can easily obtain TIF financing for any development, for any reason within Centerville. This development will essentially impose costs on city services and resources without additional funds flowing into the property tax pool.

Centerville is more than just a place; it's our home where homeowners take care of their properties and have great sense of pride. The high-density development will not only disrupt the beauty of the area but will also place undue financial burden on existing tax paying residents.

While the property in question is currently zoned to allow such a development, this is not the type of development we as city residents want. Accordingly, we are asking our elected city officials to represent the desires of Centerville residents as follows:

1) Do NOT approve the proposed tax increment financing (TIF) for this proposal

2) If redevelopment of this parcel continues to be pursued, consider other building proposals that enhance the area, focus on less dense owner-occupied housing, and bring clear benefits to the future of our city.

We must protect what makes Centerville special – its small-town charm, its natural beauty with numerous parks and trails, and its sense of community – from being overshadowed by this high-density development project. We urge you to join us in saying NO to the LaLonde Apartment development in Centerville.

Please sign this petition today and help us preserve the character and integrity of our beloved town.