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�b �� 3�� (�o RO SEVILLE CITYPLANNING COMMI S S ION MARCH8, 2000 I am Doctor Arlene mencke. I live at 186 1 Gluek Lane in Roseville and would like to speak to you today in support of the cub addition to the Har Mar mall. I live close to the Har Mar mall and I personally would be happy to ha�e the convenience of a Cub Market close to my home. I shop the Cub frequently and drive either to Rice Street, White Bear Avenue or Midway. Having a Cub closer to home would reduce the distance I drive and the time required to buy groceries. The Cub Market is an appropriate addition to the mall. In the past there ha�e been grocery stores in the mall and there are already 24-hour a day businesses there. The mall has been a commercial property with similar types of retail businesses during the last 4Q yeazs, so the addition of a Cub Mazket wouldn't be expected to change property values. Any property value decreases resulting from the mall would ha�e been realized long ago. The C�b Market will help to provide stability to the mall. All of us who shop at the Har Mar have seen the turnover of stores and, in some instances, the failure of some businesses to thrive and develop. I do not want the mall to fail financially for several reasons: First, I shop at the mall frequently and want to ha�e the convenience of the mall stores close by. Ha�ing shopping close to home is one of the benefits of living in the city, We ha�e chosen to live in the city because of the convenience of shopping, restaurants and entertaimnent. Second, we're all aware of the failure rate of this type of small mall We read about the malls becoming desertedfrequentlyinthenewspapers. None of us wants to ha�e an empty mall and the resulting loss in tax revenues. I know that I do not want to ha�e my taxes increased to cover for the loss of tax revenue from the mall. Third, the mall provic�es more than retail stores and theaters. In the summer there is an open air farmers' market every Tuesday. Frequently there are craft or antique shows. Many of us walk the mall for exercise to a�oid inclement weather. The mall is a valuable part of our community life. The few local reside�rts who oppose the Cub Market ha�e been loud in voicing their objections while few of those in fa�or ha�e stepped forward I have read the list of local residents' issues and the solutions that the property owners have developed to address the issues. I thought that the residents and the owners have done an excellent job of identifying roadblocks to progress and addressing them I thought that the process was working very well. Until very recently I assumed that the project was moving ahead. When I asked when the Cub would be open I was very disappointed to learn that the project rema�ins stalled. The issue of the percentage coverage has become an issue only because of a few vociferous opponents. The issue is not about coverage. No one protested when Home Place occupied a similar area The issue of coverage is only a delaying tactic and is without merit. The real issue for the residents is ha�ing a supermarket in that space. The apQroval of the plan for the Cub should be a"no brainer". Ins&&the coverage rules ha�e been changed in the middle of the game to accommodate to the few residents who object to the Cub. The result has been a long, protcacted disagrcexne�rt that is costing the city and the mall owners money. The time and money are not being well spent The citizens of Rosevitle are not being served by this delaying tactic. In the past, similar req�ests for additions or modifications ha�e been granted for the Har Mar matl without objection,. The coverage rule was not an issue. The additional coverage is trivialand d�oes not significantly change the existing coverage ratio.