2019 Vol.13 Issue 3 June - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 Luther Company is ultimately seeking approval for a Cadillac auto dealership headquartered at 3494 Highway 61 in Vadnais Heights, but also encompassing 3516 Highway 61 in Gem Lake. The dealership building will include a striking glass façade that will showcase vehicles on display in the showroom. Sales offices, auto repair and car wash facilities will all be included in this building. The entire building will be located in the Vadnais Heights end of the land. The parking lot will include 613 spaces, of which about a third will be located at the Gem Lake, or northern end of the land. The parking and circulation are being designed to maximize efficiency and minimize pedestrian and vehicle interactions. The customer parking is located near the front entrance to the showroom on the north side of the building. The auto repair and car wash drop-off are located on the south side of the building, to allow customers dropping off their vehicles immediate access off highway 61 from Willow Lake Blvd. There is a proposed dedication of public right of way to service as a frontage road at the stop light, which could connect with a future extension of Hoffman Road, south of the site. Start dates for the project are pending approvals. Luther Cadillac Starts Project Approval Process (continued from page 1) Planning Commission Gets New Members (continued from page 1) Vice Chair, until his job took him to the East Coast. Cummings is retired after more than 35 years with AT&T, Inc. He led Financial Modeling, Systems, and Performance Analysis teams in Corporate Finance in support of AT&T’s Business Solutions worldwide. Laurel Amlee has lived in Gem Lake for 10 years. She works for John and Darlene Birkeland, who own business in the Hoffman’s Corner area, such as White Bear Floral. She takes care of leases, taxes and a variety of other jobs for all six of their properties. She also works full-time at White Bear Floral doing bookkeeping, and working in the floral shop and greenhouse. Amlee is raising her six-year-old grandson, who attends Willow Lane Elementary School, who is entering the 2nd grade. Amlee has a BA in logistics from Concordia. What attracted these two to the Planning Commission? “I’ve always been intrigued by the unique history of Gem Lake and impressed by the care its government officials take in working with developers—so much so that Betsy and I moved in,” says Cummings. “I’ve long been interested in how cities balance the pressures of growth with the quality of life for current and future residents.” “I am very interested in my community and what is happening in this wonderful town,” says Amlee. “I look forward to being a part of the Planning Commission.” Both new commission members are appointed for five year terms. A big welcome to Don Cummings and Laurel Amlee.