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<br />.' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />FEB 07 2001 14:54 FR <br /> <br />TO 211738 <br /> <br />P.02/08 <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />~ <br />tXy'1. <br />f-)C~t711 e ~ <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Planning Commission Members <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />Dllve Sand <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />February 7, 2001 <br /> <br />RE: <br /> <br />W ALGREENS OEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL (iJ CO. RD. E & LEXINGTON <br /> <br />..... - --................... ~ --...... - -.......-......................... ~.. -- -.... -.. -...... -........... <br /> <br />The following are some thoughts I have concerning the proposal for the "GatewIlY" comer property <br />a.t Co, Rd, E and Lexington where Semper Development is requesting a Lot SplitlVariance/SUP/Site Plan <br />Review for the design and eonstruetion of a Walgreens drive-up pharmacy/drugstore. I believe these issues <br />are important. not so much for ~ is being planned for the site, but because of where the site and facility <br />are located and because of how the building and site amenities have been designed, <br /> <br />My concems arc in addition to the serious traffic issues that were raised by others on the <br />Commission at thc last meeting. Furlhemlore, inquiry should be made as to ",ho the "applicant" is and who <br />will be the "owner" of this building and site. Typically, Walgreens leases the building from another <br />"developer/lessor." If "Semper Development" (thc awlicant) will he the "owner." then we need to know <br />eJ<actIy who they are: Do they also own the Holiday Inn property? Do they own other property in the City, <br />Le., have they been a "good citizen" in terms of prior developments'? Do they have control over the assumed <br />tenant (Walgreens) in terms of agreeing to any modifications to the site. building or signage design? <br /> <br />In no particular order of importance, the following are my comments: <br /> <br />I. Creating a "plaee" not just n "design." <br /> <br />A, THIS comer is not just "anyplace" in Arden Hills, it is a critical "entry corner" to the City <br />from the N, E and S, and represents the "last image" oftheCity as you leave it from the W. <br /> <br />B. For years, the comer has been the only "green space" at this four-comer intersection and, <br />except for proposed minimal landscaping enhancements, the site could noW become one <br />more expanse of asphalt and unimaginative commercial building design. (A pornon ofthe <br />eastern end of the Holiday Inn parking lot also has served as a "gathering place" to view <br />collector and antique cars during State Fair exhibits and for the occasional H.S. or church <br />group "car wash. ") <br /> <br />C. <br /> <br />There was _ and still is _ an opportunity on this relatively large plat to create both a <br />commercial facility and an urban "place." Even ifthere is insufficient space on the new site <br />plan for the continued viewing and washing of ears, thcre is adequate space that could be <br />redesigned and used for: I) a "place" to sit, e.g. park benches in expanded landscaped areas; <br />2) a "place" to find out what is going on in Arden Hills, e.g., a community "bulletin board" <br />[something not only for the hotel and store patrons to read while next to, or on the site. but <br />for anyone in the City to visit and read while walking or driving by]; 3) a "place" to <br />