Laserfiche WebLink
FROM : CITY_OF.YEQUOT_LAKES FAX NO. : 2185687229 Mar. 03 2004 02:32PM P2 <br /> opportunity for someone to explain their position, I have attached a copy of that letter if <br /> you care to address those still unanswered questions. <br /> This was the first time that I had the opportunity to discuss an issue with you and <br /> I found you abrasive, arrogant and pathetically condescending. You were not going to <br /> take any action against anyone else in violation of the ordinances, however, you weren't <br /> going to allow me to operate, even though I was the only one that went through the <br /> process of attempting to obtain a permit. <br /> In open forum about a year ago, you were asked how it would be possible to <br /> deter development of the new corridor and protect current in town businesses. You <br /> stated that we could place a restrictive covenant against any commercial development <br /> of similar businesses along the new 371 corridor. Since then, you have modified that <br /> position to a 15-20 year moratorium on any development to now a position of preferred <br /> development rights for existing Pequot Lakes businesses.. I would like to know how you <br /> think you can dictate as to who is able to purchase land versus who is not allowed to. <br /> Do you intend for the City to acquire all bordering property so you can dole out parcels <br /> to affected businesses, thereby not allowing a competing interest to set up shop? If <br /> not, do you intend to reimburse the property owners within thecorridor en market b <br /> you have effectively removed their ability to sell their property open by <br /> granting preferred development rights? Have you considered whether this is even <br /> legal? I have heard that a national fuel vendor has acquired an option-to-purchase <br /> acreage in the proposed South-East quadrant of the new H371/CR11 corridor. If this is <br /> true, are you willing to start spending many thousands of dollars in an ill-fated legal <br /> battle to prevent them from developing that piece of property? <br /> What will happen, is that the market forces will decide what or who develops the <br /> new corridor. <br /> What you haven't said is the simple truth. You cannot predict or gaurantee that <br /> business won't be adversly affected. You cannot predict what the business climate in <br /> what is currently known as downtown Pequot Lakes will be in a bypass era. You have <br /> no idea what businesses may fail, other than the obvious candidates currently along <br /> H371 that depend on high traffic volumes. You have no planned course of action to <br /> prevent a possible collapse of the current business climate and tremendous retail mix <br /> we have today other than a bunch of pie-in-the-sky hopes. It is the truth itself that you <br /> don't want the residents of Pequot Lakes to hear. The truth is that if we bypass this <br /> community, we will not know the impact until it is realized, upon us and too damned <br /> late. <br /> It is unrealistic ideas such as the above zoning contemplations that make me <br /> wonder how stupid do you think we are. This combined with a relentless mantra from <br /> your side of this issue that business owners are just greedy people looking out <br /> themselves, they do not know what is good for them and that the bypass will not only <br /> increase the numbers of shoppers in town, but they will be happier to because it will not <br /> be conjestedl. It is the arrogance from several people, including you, that believe we <br /> are so solid of a town that we can overcome what so many other communities have <br /> perished by or have been severely damaged from. We will be singing "we are a <br />