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<br /> <br />RE: Planning Case 21-007 | 3737 Lexington Avenue N | Launch Prop. & Aldi <br /> <br />Dear Arden Hills City Council and Planning division: <br /> <br />I’m writing to express a concern I have regarding the Aldi redevelopment project. My main concern is <br />regarding traffic flow, coming out of the west side of the proposed development. <br /> <br />The “alley” that runs north/south that is directly east of our space (1157 Grey Fox) and directly west of <br />the proposed Aldi is becoming increasingly busy. Being on this alley and observing it daily, I believe that <br />increased traffic flow is from the new Lexington station development. As a way to move from that <br />development (Lexington Station) south, while skipping some stoplights out on Lexington, drivers <br />aggressively pass through this alley. <br /> <br />Here are a few safety concerns that I believe need to be thoughtfully considered based on the behaviors <br />of drivers we observe each day: <br /> <br />1. While I DO NOT represent any concerns from other business owners, both the gyms (the CrossFit gym <br />and Acceleration North) often warm up for their respective activities outdoors (laps around the <br />buildings, stretching, etc.) and the increased traffic and lack of visibility in the alley pass through could <br />present a safety <br />issue. Both of these businesses are in the same warehouse park as our business. <br /> <br />2. Visibility in that alley is not the best, based on the way the buildings are orientated and the foliage. I <br />don’t believe that the alleyway was intended for the kind of traffic it’s seeing. <br /> <br />3. During winter months, the snow removal piles are placed on the very east side of the alley creating <br />large obstacles that pass through cars must avoid by making large swerves westward. <br />4. In busy times at Aldi, I fear grocery shoppers will spill over into our lot at MerryStockings, along with <br />their carts, and take our parking spaces. <br /> <br />Based on behaviors we are seeing my concern is that, if the exit from the Aldi development on the <br />southwest corner remains open to customers leaving directly west out of the parking lot, I believe cars <br />headed north, will turn right (north) and add to the congestion in that alley and increase the safety <br />issues that are currently happening. The alley itself is maintained by Transwestern, does Aldi have the <br />right to create an access to this alley without working with Transwestern? It would be safest if that <br />proposed access point would be sealed off and traffic then would be forced to Grey Fox Road. <br /> <br />Thank you for considering this issues and the impact it could have on making this developments safer for <br />citizens of Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Respectfully, <br /> <br />Jake Witham, President <br />MerryStockings.com <br /> <br /> Attachment O