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AttachmentG February 1, 2012 Members of the Roseville Planning Commission, I am writing to ask that you to turn down Wal-Mart’s request to build a store at the corner of Cleveland Avenue and County Road C.I understand the desire to develop the land in the Twin Lakes area but the last thing that is needed in this area is more retail – especially duplicate retail. All you have to do is drive around to see multiple empty buildings and businesses that are just holding on. The huge World Market and Stone & Tile buildings are good examples of what happens in this current climate. If you allow Wal-Mart to come in – you will drive some of the smaller businesses out, along with cutting into the business that Byerly’s and Target has.How much additional lost business can they absorb? If the residents of Roseville can support the retail we already have – why are there multiple empty sites/buildings and so much more turnover of businesses? I also do not understand the push to add retail to this area when this type of retail is already available close by. There is a Wal-Mart six miles away on Silver Lake Road in New Brighton and a Target less than 10 minutes away on Snelling Avenue. There is no Traffic need to add either a Target or a Wal-Mart in between those two stores. congestion, additional police and fire needs, noise, lights, pollution run-off into Langton Lakes from the thousands of cars using the parking lot – just not a good trade-off for the residents in this area or for the city. If you allow a huge store such as Wal-Mart to build at this corner – the amount of traffic added to an already overloaded street/freeway system will be a disaster. In addition, the traffic won’t stop at 5P – it will continue until the store closes at 10-11P. Have you driven on Snelling, Fairview and Cleveland during rush hour or on the weekends? If so, imagine at least a doubling, if not a tripling of the traffic. Please consider the quality of life of longtime residents in this area. Many moved in before this area was developed and most accept that development is inevitable, but please move slow on this. Take time to really look at who wants to move in and try to bring in businesses that are new or unique. If you are adamant that retail is going in this area regardless of the effect on the traffic levels, please consider businesses that are not Don’t duplicate that which we already have close by! currently in the area. Maybe a small ACE hardware, a Trader’s Joe (love the store, but traffic will be an issue), a dry cleaner, a small bakery, a New Horizon daycare (because of nearby park). Maybe more small medical firms or clinics. Businesses that aren’t open until 11P at night and generate thousands of car trips a day. If you will only consider a big box – what about an IKEA. While this store would have the same issues as a Wal-Mart – it is unique and nothing like it exists in Roseville. IKEA tends to attract a unique audience that probably would not shop at the HOM or other furniture shops in the area – so hopefully it would not take much of their business. Please work with the residents to develop this property at a pace that allows smart decisions – a good fit of businesses to what is already there, does not duplicate retail and takes into consideration the quality of life of the residents that live close by. Thank you for your consideration, Wendy Thompson Page87of95