The Klein's Family,
I have recently learned of the plans to build Kohl’s store in the Forest Lakes community. As a member of this rural community I feel I must voice my opposition to this decision. I have always enjoyed shopping at your store and felt good about giving a local family my business. However, I will not continue to shop at any Klein’s location should you choose to go through with this.
I was under the impression, as was the majority of my community that the field by the school was going to be developed into an upscale shopping, business area. This area included proposed restaurants, a coffee shop, a small scale gym, etc. Although ideally I would like the area to remain undeveloped, I realize the value of the land. For this reason, I felt if the land must be developed, the first plan would be a nice touch to our community. I was also impressed to hear that your family had decided not to put in a large store as it would not benefit the community. I am disappointed to learn of your change of heart.
Please consider the fact that you will be building directly next to an elementary school and recreation facility. As a parent of small children who will be walking to both of these locations I am extremely concerned. This store will cause a major increase in traffic on Osborne Parkway. As I am sure you are aware there are constantly children and families walking, riding bikes and pushing strollers on this road. This is no place to put a large department store! Please consider the tremendous consequences! I am positive that the majority of this community is opposed to this as it poses not only a traffic inconvenience, but a major safety hazard.
Thank you for your time and I sincerely hope your family will reconsider this decision.
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The Klein's Family,
First of all, I would like you to know that I am so disappointed in the Klein's Family to learn that you may allow a 2-story Kohl's department store in beautiful Forest Hill next to Forest Lakes Elementary School. I feel that the Klein's family has misled the Forest Hill Community with this proposed development.
I recall a meeting, about a year and a half ago, where you told my community of Forest Lakes that the field by the school was going to be developed into an upscale shopping, business area. This area included proposed restaurants, a coffee shop, a small scale gym, etc. Overall, I felt that plan would be a nice touch to our community. In fact in that meeting I attended, one of the Klein's family members even said that they "did not want to put a Big Box store in" as it would not be a good addition to our area.
Well now it looks like you are just making a short sighted money decision which is going to have a very negative impact on this community who has supported your family. This Kohl's store is not going to be good to our rural Forest Hill community and Klein's seems to be taking the easy way out. You could spend more time and energy trying to build a community integrated shopping & business center which would have less traffic, look nicer, and have more places for our children. The previous plan was much more aesthetic and I believe would have a good value to our community.
I truly believe that if you searched more for restaurants and other smaller scale businesses that you would find them. If not now in this slow economy in a couple months and you would keep community support and patronage.
Please know that if this Kohl's does get built, I will not support or shop at your Klein's store again. I may be only one person to you, but please know that many other people have the same opinion as me.
Thank you for your time and please consider this decision.
