Thanks for the comment. I think this case will have similarities to many development decisions the city faces in the next few years in the vicinity of the new 212. The big issue overall is where should new commercial development go and whether zoning can/should be changed to accommodate it. It sounds like the city's review of the Comprehensive Plan will have a lot to say about this issue.

Point well taken on the zoning issues. I would say, however, I've seen a fair amount of cycling in the city. I know County Commissioner Workman is a big cycling enthusiast. Not sure if he rides a Harley though.

Enough already! I've been sitting back and reading all these comments and I think you all need to just sit back and think about what you are saying. There are alot of numbers being thrown around and many assumptions about how much money they are going to lose on their expesive homes, how high their taxes are and how terrible the H-D dealer will be or how menial the new jobs offered would be for them. When I moved to Chanhassen, there were mostly cornfields in the neighborhood. We were not happy about all the townhomes built off 101 or the Lake Susan and Springfield developments. These meant more traffic and more taxes due to the need for more schools and city services. All of these things are part of suburban sprawl and the new highways that bring more people to our city.
We all knew the freeway would come some day, and that any land near an entrance would develop commercially. Neighbors complained when the postal annex was proposed and when the Doppler radar site was built, but they have adapted. Others didn't like when they built townhomes and condos on Powers. The 101 and Lyman site was going to be used for twinhomes, but if the devleopers cannot make this work, some sort of commercial businesses would be the only feasable solution for the property. These shops or whatever would have to be open most days to survive, if they even could. With the proposed strip mall and gas station across Lyman and the shops in the Transit development, the area may not be able to support any more small shops. We all know that the traffic is going to increase dramatically, I won't quote any numbers. The cars parking at the ramp, the traffic to the new development where the old apartments were, and the cars and trucks just entering the freeway. Most of these will have to pass through the intersection at 101 and Lyman.
There are many motorcycles that travel down 101 now during the summer, but none for about 6 months out of our year due to weather. This would only bring limited car traffic 1/2 of the year, where a strip mall would be year round. The references to the terrible noise of Harleys can be exaggerated to suit the complainers, even though I hear some go by once in awhile that are very loud. Some make it seem like there will be a constant deafening sound at all times, I dispute that as another exaggerated assumption. I'm not going to brag about how much my house cost or how big it is or how high my taxes are, I enjoy living in Chan and will accept the decision of the Council as I see the city grow and things change. Enough with the personal attacks and bragging, lets all go to the council meeting and see what they think is best for the community, whether or not we all agree, we have a system and we need to use it.

Dear Over 50, I agree with your neutral, and educated, vision on growth. I apologize to everyone for getting so angry, but I was fighting fire with fire. I regret this, and I try to remember that two stupid people in a room doesn't make the room any smarter. It is always funny when people have lots of children then complain when houses pop-up everywhere followed by commercial.

Nevertheless, I do support Harely 100%. I will be writing a letter to the Mayor and Council showing my support and explaining to them how that petition letter, to which I did not sign, doesn't make sense and is filled with unjustified anger. Unfortunately, those of us who support Harley, or really are neutral about it all, will not get the grease so to speak. These angry small-in-number citizens know that it is the whinning, yelling, screaming, over-emotional people who, in their mind, have the "most to lose" get the grease. They will say most anything to get the warm milk bottle first.

I encourage those who support something unique to our community, like Harely, to write a letter to your Mayor and Council. Address the letter to City Hall. Otherwise you will permit some 100 plus people to dictate how your 26,000, and rapidly growing, populated City develops and fails (more boutiques, banks, bridal shops, coffee shops, etc). This is where the true tragity lies. Not in "loud pipes" and leather jackets; people with money to spend in our community.