HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-27 Public Comment for 1-27-98 CC Meeting�AW.21.f992 9:53AM DDS 275 3E 10 NO. 2786 P. 1/2
FAX
Date January 27 1998
Number of pages including cover sheet 2
To: Mayor David Schaaf
and Council Members
City of Oak Park Htse
Phone
Fax Phone 439"0574
CC:
Urgent
3M Pharmaceuticals
Drug Delivery Systems
3M Center, Building 275 -3E -10
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
From: Ann Wasescha
Phone X612) 736 -4937
Fax Phone _1812L737-5285
For your review ❑ Reply ASAP Q Please comment
For your consideration prior to this evening's council meeting and the discussion on the
addition of Burger King to the Ponds development. Several homeowners from Autumn Ridge
plan to attend this evening's meeting.
JAN, 27 !99 9 DDS 275 3E 18 NO, 2786 P. 2/2
To: Mayor Schaaf & City Council Members - Oak Park Hts
Subject: Burger King at the Oak, Park Ponds Development
Date: January 26, 1998
It has come to our attention that Oppidan Development has brought forth Burger King as a potential business for the
Ponds development near our neighborhood. We are very concerned by this potential addition.
During earlier meetings when Oppidan was see.kixig approval for the Oak Park Ponds development, they specifically
promised that fast food restaurants would not be part of the plan for this shopping center, Instead they promised a
sit -down style restaurant without a drive through service to minimize traffic congestion in the area. As neighbors that
agreed to this development based on their promises we are now extremely disappointed and frustrated by the news
that Oppidan is not living up to the promises that resulted in their getting approval for the Oak Park Ponds
development.
Our concerns on the proposed Burger King include:
• Drive- -thru service and fast turnover of clientele that would lead to increased traffic & congestion in the area
more so than a sit -down restaurant would create
• Visual appearance in conflict with harmony of the original architectural style promised by Oppidan especially if a
Burger King corporate design of red, orange and yellow is followed
• Visual pollution of signage they want to construct to attract customers from Highway 36
• Added light pollution to an area that is already over lit
• Location to a closed campus high school and the magnetic attraction it will create by luring students during the
day and after school with loitering potential
The Autumn Ridge development has offered Oak Park Heights an upscale neighborhood with a higher tax base and
an active group of citizens. The neighborhood presents a style of tasteful homes, preserved woods and an appealing
area representing Oak Park Heights. The overall plan for the Ponds development fit in fairly well with our -
neighborhood, however, we are now being hit with visual changes that are less than appealing. Hollywood Video is
far more bold in it's signage than we ever expected and is so bright it is dearly visible from within Autumn Ridge
despite the extensive tree coverage in- between. The modified shoe box lighting on the front and south side of
Rainbow shines far brighter than any other development along Highway 36 and is hardly in the spirit of true shoe box
lighting fixtures.
We ask that the city council hold firm on the exterior design, lighting and signage guidelines and not allow special
variances for any other businesses.
It is reasonable for Burger King to want the conditions they are asking for, however, the location is not suitable for
their requests and needs. We would strongly encourage Dolphin to look at property elsewhere along the frontage
road closer to Highway 36 where they could be easily seen and reached and not within The Ponds,
As for Oppidan being able to attract a sit down restaurant as they originally presented to our neighborhood, we
suggest they look into the potential of two Twin Cities offerings. Asia grill, owned by Leeann Chin and Campiellos,
owned by Di Amico are both more upscale restaurants which locate very successfully in suburban shopping centers
like The Ponds. They offer something a bit different than the usual fare and have been financially successful.
In closing, we ask that you hold firm on the issues of limited signage and lighting, an exterior design matching the
new shops alongside Rainbow and most importantly a move to locate Burger King to a different site that benefits the
business as well as the neighborhood,
Respectfully,
(A4) ZJaAJLem) LdcaLiiddeL_
Ann and Warren Wase scha
5675 Newberry Ave. N.
Oak Park Heights