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Mounds View Planning Commission June 7, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 7 out there was plenty of traffic in this area without the proposed trails. He stated that the City should examine this proposal very carefully, adding that if this area is to be developed, he does not believe a Walgreens Drugstore is appropriate for this location. Barry Peterson, 7565 Edgewood Drive stated that the remnant parcel, City Hall and the Community Center create a campus that is very attractive from Highway 10, and he did not believe a Walgreens Drugstore would enhance the area. He indicated that once the parcel is taken away from the City, it would be out of the City’s control for a long period of time, and they would not have an opportunity to change their minds. He stated that two years earlier, this parcel was utilized for a soccer field, and if there had been a proposal to pave over the soccer field and develop the area at that time, there would have been a significant outcry, however, it appeared as if bit-by-bit, things have proceeded in this direction. Mr. Peterson stated that Edgewood Drive is more attractive since the development of the Theater, particularly in terms of the small pond on the corner of the remnant parcel, which creates the appearance of a downtown area, which the City does not otherwise have. He commented that it would be a shame to lose that. He indicated there was a Walgreens drugstore within three miles of the proposed site, in addition to a Synder’s drugstore, a discount pharmacy, and all of the pharmacies that operate within the grocery stores. He explained that there were many drugstores in the area, however, there were very few parcels such as this remaining in Mounds View. He stated that other communities would not consider selling the land adjacent to their City Halls, and this proposal did not appear to be very good long range planning. Mr. Kepler stated that the corner of Highway 10 and Edgewood Drive, with the addition of the Theater, has become very busy, and one tragedy has already occurred. He indicated further congestion on this corner, and a turn lane in and out of the site was simply not necessary. He stated that one of his two boys attends Edgewood Middle School, and they both go to the Theater. He advised that it was already very difficult to cross the highway, and they did not need additional traffic on this corner. Bob Cunningham, representative of TOLD Development Company, stated that he understood and appreciated the neighbors’ concerns. He indicated they were not coming into this project lightly, but rather, have been discussing their proposal with the City for a number of quarters. He stated that they believe this proposal would enhance pedestrian safety by providing pedestrian trails along the north side of Highway 10, connecting the sidewalk from the intersection of Edgewood Drive to the sidewalk terminus adjacent to the Community Center. Mr. Cunningham stated that the Midland Videen parcel, which consists of approximately 3.5 acres of developable land, is privately owned, and is not owned by the City at this point. He advised that the proposed transfer of one acre of the City’s property for 8 acres of the remaining parcel of the Midland Videen site, and having TOLD Development Company pay for the upgrade to the storm water system and the trail system, represents an extremely fair deal to the City of Mounds View.