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<br />29 September, 2007 <br />3570 Ridgewood Road <br />Arden Hills, MN 55112 <br />651-631-2347 <br /> <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />Mr. Stan Harpstead, Mayor <br />Arden Hills City Hall <br />1245 West Highway 96 <br />Arden Hills, MN 55112 <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead, <br /> <br />You are currently involved in the disposition of certain property in Arden Plaza. As a long time <br />Arden Hills resident, I also have a direct interest. I agree with you that a property owner has <br />the freedom of disposition of his property as long as such disposition is consistent with the <br />existing zoning, 82, There is an even more basic matter involved, A property owner has an <br />inherent and basic right to the free disposition of his property provided that the exercise of this <br />freedom does not unduly limit the rights of his neighbors. That is, his neighbors must not suffer <br />restrictions as a consequence of his usage which are more onerous than those placed on him. <br />Hence, the need for wise use of zoning and other controls. <br /> <br />Many of us are "neighbors" of Arden Plaza. We live in Arden Hills because of the neighborly, <br />small community ambience. This is a significant factor taken into account in the planning of the <br />disposition of the TCAAP property. This ambience is quickly destroyed by the incursion of <br />businesses which have the "big box" characteristics of a Wallgreens. The nature of the other <br />businesses contemplated for the subject property has not been disclosed. <br /> <br />The demise of the Arden Pharmacy would be a direct loss to me, as would be the presence of <br />other businesses which could have a similarly degrading effect, There is already a Walgreens <br />just three miles south on Lexington, and a pharmacy at the "big box" Target a third of a mile <br />north on Lexington. There is no need for yet another pharmacy in Arden Hills. There is a clear <br />need to retain the high quality, personal service provided by the Arden Pharmacy, which service <br />is so abundantly lacking at Walgreens. <br /> <br />I recognize this is not an easy matter. It is my hope that you, and the others involved, will be <br />able to adjudicate this issue such that it will not be more onerous on the property owner than it <br />will be on those of us who have a vested interest in the quality of Arden Hills as a Community. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Thomas S. Steele <br />