After several months of hearings, modifications, challenges and delays, the proposed Wal-Mart Store for Roseville's Twin Lakes neighborhood won final plat approval earlier this month from the City Council.
The project has sparked controversy with opponents contending the new store doesn't comply with the city's comprehensive plan for the Twin Lakes area and will only generate traffic and congestion. But prroponents feel the project will help turn around a parcel of land that has been vacant and languishing for many years.
What do you think? Wll the arrival of a Wal-Mart store in Roseville be a good for the community? Or will it be a detriement? Take our poll and leave your comments.
As background, here are a few of the stories that Roseville Patch has had in recent months on the issue:
Just read any data on what one of these stores does to the neighborhood/community it takes over. Poor paying jobs, lousy to no health insurance, very low quality products NOT made in America, higher crime/theft rates so it taxes the police dept.. This company does NO favors for the community around it. It will bring down our property values and attract a whole different clientele. Its all in the data and we need much more awareness in the general public!!
Roseville's Target Superstore has more. That parking lot is a pie in the sky design but will never go down that way. Wait and see.
The city has considered traffic for this proposal, as well as future development of the rest of the area with higher-density residential and office uses. That traffic analysis led to the requirements for several improvements to the surrounding road system, many of which are paid for by the developer, either in whole or in part, as part of this project. The traffic of a Costco store would be comparable to this proposal, and the traffic for this site is just part of the overall traffic picture that has been analyzed. The parking on the concept layout shown here may or may not meet the City requirements, but that will be considered during other approval steps for the project, as various permits are applied for. The parking lot that is built must ultimately meet City code standards, and the site overall must meet City and Rice Creek Watershed requirements, among others, for stormwater management and other environmental regulations. The proposed store has been discussed to be a 24 hour operation.