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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 28, 2008 Page 14 Councilmember Roe questioned if the referenced studies discussed how wide the perceived impact on property values was realized, or if it was just in the immedi- ate vicinity of a pawnshop. Kelly Knight, 2071 Midlothian Road Ms. Knight spoke in opposition to the application for a pawnshop, noting that she and her husband had firsthand experience on how opportunistic crime rises during an economic downturn, when someone had attempted to gain entrance to their home, forcing them to install a security system. Ms. Knight also opined that a pawnshop would decrease residential property values in their immediate area; fur- ther opined that a pawnshop would make it easier for opportunistic criminals to get rid of items. Ms. Knight advised that her family had made a significant in- vestment in their property, inside and out, based on their assurance that theirs was a safe community. Ms. Knight advised that she had visited a pawnshop, after re- ceiving Mayor Klausing's response to her a-mail opposing the project, and opined that she remained unimpressed after her observations. Ms. Knight referenced a recent Star/Tribune article related to pawnshops, and opinions expressed by a de- tective on the additional resource costs, and additional regulatory legislation to monitor this type of business, and questioned impacts to the City's budget for ad- ditional police. Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and Ms. Knight regarding linking and identifying sellers and merchandise; current City Code not limiting the num- ber of pawnshops in the city; whether the City was being naive and needed to do more due diligence and ask more questions; general increase in crime and if it was directly related to pawnshops; with the public not having the burden of proof on impacts of proposed land use on general health, welfare and safety issues. Ms. Knight concluded by noting that she had initially been insulted by the letter from the applicant; and then concerned with their poor example expressed in the letter of merchandise received; and expressed her concern with property values and crime on the north end of County Road B Mayor Klausing identified his intent in seeking additional and specific informa- tion from residents related to their concerns, in an effort to address those facts, not just perceptions. Todd Anderson, Midlothian Road Mr. Anderson advised that he was a business owner in town, as well as the father of three children walking to Brimhall School, and questioned why it was so im- portant to license a pawnshop at this location. Mr. Anderson advised that he had attempted to contact each Councilmember, and thanked Councilmember Ihlan for talking to him. Mr. Anderson expressed concern for his children walking to Brim- hall with the pawnshop in that immediate area.