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<br />Page] of] <br /> <br />James Lehnhoff <br /> <br />From: <br />Sent: <br />To: <br /> <br />Michele [slomo@usfamily.net] <br />Tuesday, July 31,20076:40 PM <br />James Lehnhoff <br /> <br />Subject: Proposed Redevelopment at County Road E and Lexington-Input to Planning Commission <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Lehnhoff: I am writing you in opposition to the proposed redevelopment project at County Road E and <br />Lexington. I just learned about the proposed redevelopment and the planning commission meeting this afternoon from a <br />neighbor. <br /> <br />First, I am upset that the city did such a poor job of letting the public know that the planning commission was going to <br />meet tomorrow evening regarding this proposed redevelopment and informing city residents about the content of the <br />proposed redevelopment. The lack of publicity makes me wonder whether the city and developers do not want to hear <br />the residents' views, and just want to push the project approvals through quickly without opposition. Not a very <br />transparent or objective process??? <br /> <br />Second, I am opposed to the specific uses that are apparently being proposed for the redevelopment. There is no need <br />to build a Walgreens. We already have Target and Cub pharmacies as large pharmacies very close by, and another <br />Walgreens at Snelling and County Road C. I appreciate the neighborhood's long time business, the Arden Plaza <br />Pharmacy, and the personal service it provides. If the city allows a Walgreens to be constructed, it surely will be the end <br />of the Arden Plaza Pharmacy, plus another drug store is not needed in this part of the city. <br /> <br />Next, I am opposed to another grocery store. We already have two very close by (Target and Cub), and Byerly's not far <br />away. If the city decides to allow any kind of small grocery store in this redevelopment, I oppose an Aldi store. I have <br />been in Aldi stores and they are definitely geared toward "lower end" consumers. I understand that the same company <br />that owns Aldi's also owns the Trader Joe's stores. If the planning commission/city decides to proceed with a <br />redevelopment at this intersection, it makes MUCH more sense to put in a Trader Joe's than an Aldi's. I love Trader Joe's, <br />as do most people I know, and it would do a terrific business in this neighborhood, as the nearest ones are currently in <br />Maple Grove and St. Louis Park. Trader Joe's are reasonably priced, fun places to shop. <br /> <br />Also, I oppose the idea of getting rid of the Holiday Inn and putting in more senior housing (although I am close to "senior" <br />status myself). The Holiday Inn has proved to be very convenient for visitors in my family. Also, this intersection seems <br />much more appropriate for retail space than for senior housing. For seniors who can't drive, it is a location that has skimpy <br />(at best) bus service and a busy intersection that is not pedestrian friendly and would be noisy for residents. <br /> <br />To summarize, I think the current uses of this property are just fine. They are small scale and compatible with the <br />neighborhoods near by. I don't think the planning commission or residents would be doing any service to the city by <br />approving the proposed development. It duplicates retail offerings already in the neighborhood and the senior housing <br />does not seem appropriately located at this busy intersection. It would probably force out of business a long time locally <br />owned pharmacy. Most importantly, this proposed redevelopment would attract even more traffic to County Road E and <br />Lexington, which is already getting more clogged up by the day (aside from the construction season). <br /> <br />If somehow the city decides to proceed with some kind of redevelopment, I think it should work to get a Trader Joe's store <br />instead of Aldi's and some other type of business besides a Walgreens. How about a restaurant that sells something <br />other than pizza and subs???? How about an ice cream store like Cold Stone Creamery? These are retail uses that <br />would enhance the neighborhood, rather than duplicating existing nearby businesses. <br /> <br />Thank you for passing these comments on to the planning commission and city council. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br />Michele Owen <br />1428 Arden Oaks Court <br />Arden Hills <br /> <br />m USfamily,Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- <br /> <br />8/29/2007 <br />