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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Page 12 the site was ultimately designed were not necessarily germane to the question at hand, at 560 the same time, Member Boguszewski recognized the concerns of the audience that they 561 may have no other opportunity to discuss the merits of the proposed use. Member 562 Boguszewski noted that there would always be merits and demerits for any project or 563 use, and at the risk of making his life less easy, he offered his thoughts and rationale for 564 his position. 565 Member Boguszewski offered his personal assessment and analysis of the merits and 566 demerits for this parcel; recognizing that it was a passionate issue for citizens, and that 567 the passion often made it difficult for people to understand other points of view. Member 568 Boguszewski noted that the comments heard tonight were not in favor of this particular 569 use; however, he advised that he had personally received and seen support for a Wal- 570 Mart in Roseville, and while not unanimous, it obviously remained a divided issue. 571 Member Boguszewski asked that residents keep several things in mind: 572 1) The City of Roseville does not own this land and has no ability to force any particular 573 development or option such as an IKEA, Trader Joe’s or other option. If the proposal 574 meets City Code requirements, it is not the City’s job to fetter that development. 575 Member Boguszewski stated that he believed in the free market, and in comparing a 576 Wal-Mart to the vacant parcel currently there, allowing all the negatives to rise to the 577 forefront, when considered in isolation, there was nothing to compare it with. 578 2) Addressing another category of comments heard that Wal-Mart would be a blight or 579 detriment to a beautiful spot, Member Boguszewski opined that this perception was in 580 the eye of the beholder. When reviewing the location, Member Boguszewski noted 581 that its location on the west side of the City, bounded on the south by a County road 582 and railroad tracks, on the east by light industrial uses, and on the west by the 583 Interstate; while further beyond that the area included a mass of car dealerships and 584 similar uses, if Wal-Mart chose to locate in Roseville, he could think of no better spot. 585 Member Boguszewski suggested that Roseville citizens could choose whether or not 586 to shop at Wal-Mart, but if they were concerned that Wal-Mart was going to bring 587 detritus to Roseville, this proposed location was at the most extreme edge of the 588 community as possible. 589 3) Based on his personal bias, Member Boguszewski stated that he did not consider 590 and remained unconvinced that Wal-Mart was similar to a nuclear waste plant. 591 Member Boguszewski advised that he took his role as a Planning Commissioner very 592 seriously, and therefore had sought the advice of a market professor friend and was 593 made aware of a number of articles on both sides of the issue, with as many saying that 594 Wal-Mart was a positive for a community as those saying it was a negative. Member 595 Boguszewski advised that his research of those articles and various opinions indicated 596 that the impact to a community was based on a number of issues including, but not 597 limited to, the area itself, existing retail, highway access, and existing “Mom and Pop” 598 stores. Member Boguszewski advised that it would depend on Wal-Mart’s business plan 599 and their market research as to whether this store was a success or a failure; and was 600 ultimately not the business of Roseville citizens anyway, since they had a right to develop 601 in Roseville in compliance with City Codes. 602 While not believing that it was necessary to address the merits and/or demerits of a Wal- 603 Mart in Roseville, since the Planning Commission’s task was based on technical issues, 604 Member Boguszewski advised that he had done so for the benefit of Roseville citizens, 605 recognizing the importance to them. Member Boguszewski advised that he would be 606 voting in support of the requested actions. 607 Member Wozniak thanked the audience for their public comment, noting that he had 608 observed them through various forums before tonight’s meeting as well. Member 609 Wozniak expressed his disappointment in some of the comments he’d seen and heard, 610 however he did support the public’s right and appreciated their efforts to come out tonight 611 to share them with the Planning Commission. 612