HRSR INFORMATION 01-05-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• LOCAL NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2003 N SB NORTH SUBURBAN WHITE BEAR LAKE !Jrdinance to downtown am i n , ; protect b e ce p asses Rules affect entrances, size of display windows « that some guidelines-panic- The success of our ularly those pertaining to the BY ALLEN POWELL II development director. That entrance and the location of the Pioneer Press means pedestrian-friendly downtown rests on drive-through window-prob- retail businesses oriented ably would make the property In an effort to protect the toward local streets. the fact that it's less enticing for a Walgreens. ambience of its downtown dis- Although most downtown "That's probably not their trict,the White Bear Lake City businesses already adhere to a traditional first choice, but they could do Council passed an ordinance the guidelines as part of an that," Robinson said. He said last week regulating the posi- informal understanding, the downtown. It rests with no other properties that should tion, type and design of busi- ordinance will codify the stan- be immediately affected. nesses. dards. the fact that our Representatives from Among other things, the "The success of our down- Reliance Development did not ordinance forbids businesses town rests on the fact that it's a buildings are right return phone calls. from being set back more than traditional downtown," Robin- The downtown businesses 5 feet from the sidewalk, son said. "It rests with the fact at the sidewalk." that make up Mainstreet Inc., requires any business with that our buildings are right at the city's downtown business frontage on both U.S. 61 and a the sidewalk." association, support the new local street to place its main This past summer, Reliance JAMES ROBINSON ordinance, said Dale Gram- entrance on the local street and Development Co. challenged community development bush, the group's president. sets size requirements for dis- that approach, proposing a director Grambush said business own- play windows on public streets. Walgreens for a 1.2-acre prop- ers are committed to a down- The restrictions apply to all erty near U.S. 61 and Fifth town focused on foot traffic and properties in the city's B-5 zon- Street in construction typical retail businesses in order to retail. ing district and any future for many suburban cities. examine the standards, Robin- ilt lopment or redevelop- Parking would be in front of son said. It then issued the Allen Powell II covers New the store, which would have a ordinance. Brighton, Shoreview, Vadnais e ordinance will ensure drive-through pharmacy. The Robinson said the new ordi- Heights, White Bear Lake, that downtown maintains the main entrance would have nance does not place undue Mounds View,North Oaks,Gem "historic character"that sets it been along U.S.61. hardship on businesses inter- Lake and Arden Hills.He can be apart and keeps it viable, said In response, the city estab- ested in coming to White Bear reached at apowell @pioneer James Robinson, community lished a moratorium on large Lake. But he acknowledged press.com or 651-228-2120.