Hunting property getting messed up!!

[imfinny]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota

My family purchased 40 acres of wooded property several years ago exclusively for hunting. We recently learned that there is a developer who wants to build 30 houses in the adjoining 40 acre parcel. State laws prohibit a hunter from discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied structure (some municipalities require 1000 feet). Given the housing density that is planned for the other pacel of land, it is a fair assumption that there will be houses much closer than 500 feet from our property. This will essentially restrict the use of our land by a significant amount. The development is only in the planning stages at this time. Do we have any recourse to block the development?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

based solely on your post, no.

 

[seniorjudge]

Unless the neighbor agrees not to build anything, I don't see where you have much of a chance to defeat this problem.

 

[panzertanker]

Do we have any recourse to block the development?

Time to discuss with that developer the possibility of acquiring your 40 acres....

 

[FarmerJ]

Im curious what county you bought in? many countys here require 2.5 acre lots per single family home because of ground water pollution issues created by septic systems so 30 homes on a 40 acre parcel seems not very possible unless public sewer or water is available, generally where public sewer or water is available is only places that are growing so rapidly that they too may have allready written local ords regarding shooting too. 500 ft would mean more care being used while on the property but if its gonna be that many houses perhaps the land would have better value to resell and look farther out for suitable land. Places like northern sherburne co and new homes vs hunting clubs has been a issue for some time.

 

[imfinny]

Hunting property

The property is in Pope county. I am guessing that they are planning to supply city sewer and water, even though the current system is grossly inadequate. Perhaps that is the angle that I should pursue with the city.

 

[nextwife]

The property is in Pope county. I am guessing that they are planning to supply city sewer and water, even though the current system is grossly inadequate. Perhaps that is the angle that I should pursue with the city.

And do you REALLY think the county wants to walk away from the potential additional property tax revenue that all those homeowners would bring? What about the businesses that will get a YEAR ROUND economic boost from all those additional families shopping their stores and buying their services? The local contractors and material suppliers that will have more income? The restaurants and fast food joints the construction crews will frequent during the development process?

Are you spending enough up there during your once or twice a year trek to use the hunting site to make up the economic difference if they turn down the subdivision approval?

Remember, THESE are all factors that will come into play when the developer pitches the project to the zoning board.

 

[imfinny]

There are many other sites that are closer to town that could be used for a development. This particular property is where my father hunted when he was growing up, so there is sentimental value as well. And we use the land virtually every weekend from Sept through November, and a few weekends in the spring for turkey hunting, so it is more than just a couple of times a year.

 

[seniorjudge]

This is one of those Golden Rule cases: He who has the gold makes the rules.

 

[nextwife]

There are many other sites that are closer to town that could be used for a development.

However, THIS may be where this particular developer was able to acquire a development parcel at a price that made sense.

If you believe that enough of your neighbors feel the same way, then rally the support of other property owners in the area and fight the approval of the development. However, the argument that a parcel was in the family and used a certain way for decades may not itself carry a lot of weight. Eventually past uses may need to change with newer local needs.