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Gem Lake Planning Commission Minutes <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />John Birkeland - Country Lodge/White Bear Floral: That parcel in question <br />was bought by his grandfather and has been in his family for about 100 years <br />and said south of County Road E is zoned for retail business. Mark Putman did <br />the concept plan that showed the land as a place for retail business. Mr. <br />Birkeland feels a car dealership would ruin his business. Mr. Birkeland has been <br />working with Vadnais Heights to detach a small portion of his land which is <br />currently located in Vadnais Heights and annex it into Gem Lake. <br />Mr. Whitaker feels his cliental would improve John's businesses. He wants to be <br />a long term member of the Gem Lake business community. Whitaker's potential <br />Phase II has an investment partner and an architectural firm to help put higher <br />quality tenants in the new spaces. <br />Commissioner Wippich asked how many people visit an automobile lot before a <br />car is sold. Mr. Whitaker stated that there are typically three to five people his <br />sales force talks to before selling a car. He added that the internet helps bring <br />into the business. <br />Acting Chair Lindner stated that with the 1997 Comprehensive Plan there was <br />language regarding limiting auto dealerships in the former retail district, but that <br />has now been changed in the new 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Now, Gem Lake <br />has formed based zoning that says if the planned building use meets the <br />requirements, it can be built. <br />Commissioner Herzog stated that the existing strip mall needs to be torn down as <br />it's an eye sore. She asked if Mr. Whitaker would get tenants before taking down <br />the strip mall. Mr. Whitaker stated he would need to get tenants first. He thinks <br />any new strip mall would be a retail mall. <br />Acting Chair Lindner wanted to know what a car dealership might look like in the <br />next five to ten years. Mr. Whitaker stated will have to have inventory. Phase I <br />holds 50 vehicles for the dealership. <br />Jim Segermark: Is a car dealership in the plan versus a Lowes or Trader Joes? <br />He suggested Gem Lake open the property to a more generalized attraction. <br />Tiffany's Gifts and Thrifts: The corner has grown and she wants to know if the <br />little business will stay or will larger companies will move in? She feels the ugly <br />building could use a face lift, but if a dealership goes in there, will it benefit the <br />people who are in there now? <br />Commissioner Herzog stated that corner has gotten a lot of small business off <br />the ground. But that strip mall has not been touched in many years. <br />Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org <br />