Email
From: Evan Riley, Chair, Juniper Estates Neighborhood Committee
Sent: December 12
To: Loretta Acosta, Zoning Commissioner
CC: Rudy Hartwell, Mayor
Subject: Proposed re-zoning for Brannick's Superstore adjacent to Juniper Estates
1. I represent the Juniper Estates Neighborhood Committee. Last night, community residents had a meeting in which they expressed views on the re-zoning request Brannick's Superstore proposed. Nearly 100% of the attendees were opposed to the Antrim Zoning Commission allowing a Brannick's to be built on the land adjacent to Juniper Estates. I have been asked to summarize neighborhood opposition.
2. A Brannick's Superstore is a wonderful place to shop. It provides groceries prescriptions and even auto repairs. However, it is not an appealing structure to have in one's backyard. This is especially true for residents of Juniper Estates. Situated on the northern edge of the Antrim city limits, Juniper Estates is more rural than urban. Many of our residents moved to the northern edge of Antrim to be near the woods and the wildlife. They wanted to be away from the city, not in the middle of a busy shopping mecca. Furthermore, construction of this superstore would remove a large portion of forest from the area adjoining Juniper Estates and uproot the wildlife that depends on it.
3. In place of deer, this superstore would bring in cars and chaos. With traffic congestion comes increased pollution and noise. In effect, a store the size of Brannick's would bring the city right to our doorsteps. While we live within the city limits of Antrim, we reside in the rural community of Juniper Estates, and we want to keep it rustic.
4. Even though most Juniper Estates residents commute to jobs downtown, about 15% of our residents work right here in the surrounding area. These folks are largely small- business owners and their employees. They depend on the purchases made by residents of the Antrim community for their livelihoods. These shopkeepers are happy to let members of the rest of the community spend their city earnings in our shops. Antrim shoppers know that our shops are unique and distinctive, offering original, often handmade products. These businesses are a source of both income and pride for their owners and employees.
5. Unfortunately, the shops near Juniper Estates could not compete with the prices of a nearby superstore. If Brannick's is right next door, most people will shop there. Brannick's can afford to sell for less. Its presence in the community could force many of our local businesses to close. Even people who are loyal customers of the small, specialized shops could eventually succumb to the lure of a superstore.
6. Additionally, the Property Trends website states that building a superstore typically drops home values by 10%. This is reason enough for members of our community to protest the proposed zoning adjustment.
7. Antrim already has two Brannick's Superstores. How many superstores do we need? If you change the zoning legislation, let it be for something that will enhance the beauty and uniqueness of our community. Juniper Estates has enough traffic and noise. We need to protect the businesses we have and the independent personality of our rural community. We strongly urge you to decline Brannick's re-zoning request.
Evan Riley
**********
Press Release
February 2
For Immediate Release
Brannick's Superstore Is Coming!
8. Thanks for being our new neighbor!
9. Brannick's application for the re-zoning of land adjacent to Juniper Estates has been approved with some revisions. We are now preparing to begin construction. Although our original plan was to build a full-sized store on this land, we have modified our plan to accommodate the community concerns that were presented to us by the Antrim Zoning Commission. People in the neighborhood were unhappy with our plan, and beginning a feud with potential customers is never an option for Brannick's. Therefore, we have made some concessions that we hope will please our customers in the area.
10. The first concern of our new neighbors is the noise and traffic the store could generate. Unfortunately, traffic and noise come with the territory of a superstore. Brannick's Superstores are popular, and this one will no doubt draw customers from nearby towns. However, we have worked with the Antrim City Council to find a way to minimize the noise and traffic and to limit our impact on Juniper Estates.
11. We have agreed to forgo our original plan to use the full 200,000 square feet possible under the original re-zoning request. Our store will instead occupy only 125,000 square feet. This size will allow for a buffer zone of wooded area between our store and Juniper Estates. Brannick's will maintain this wooded area; our landscaping team will scrupulously clean up any trash that winds blow into this area. This area will ensure that the store is not visible to nearby residents and will greatly reduce the traffic noise.
12. Furthermore, in the spirit of community involvement, we will place an 80-inch plasma
screen within the store for local ads and announcements. And this service will be free to
all local businesses! These ads could generate more business for local shops, because
Brannick's general merchandise and services. Aren’t competition for these more specialized shops.
13. We will soon have nearly 100 job openings. Applications for the new store are avallable
online. We are looking forward to being your new neighbor.
In the press release, Brannick's Superstore claims it has taken or will take specific actions to address community concerns. Select those actions
- A. work with city officials
- B. offer online job applications
- C. maintain landscaping
- D. advertise for local businesses
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Brannick's Superstore aims to address community concerns through proactive engagement and support. Working with city officials (A) demonstrates collaboration to tackle local issues, fostering a positive relationship with the community. Maintaining landscaping (C) reflects a commitment to enhancing the local environment, which can improve community aesthetics and pride. Advertising for local businesses (D) supports economic growth and strengthens community ties. Offering online job applications (B), while beneficial for job seekers, does not directly address community concerns and is more focused on internal operations rather than community engagement.
Brannick's Superstore aims to address community concerns through proactive engagement and support. Working with city officials (A) demonstrates collaboration to tackle local issues, fostering a positive relationship with the community. Maintaining landscaping (C) reflects a commitment to enhancing the local environment, which can improve community aesthetics and pride. Advertising for local businesses (D) supports economic growth and strengthens community ties. Offering online job applications (B), while beneficial for job seekers, does not directly address community concerns and is more focused on internal operations rather than community engagement.
Other Related Questions
The only reason her husband did not consult her about his business was that she did not wait to be consulted. What role does the sentence play in the excerpt?
- A. It foreshadows a decision the characters will face
- B. It develops the theme of cooperation.
- C. It helps establish important character traits
- D. It emphasizes a conflict over money.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
How does paragraph 1 fit into the narrative structure of the excerpt?
- A. Paragraph 1 establishes the setting and the reason the narrator's family came to the palace.
- B. Paragraph 1 provides details about the narrator's feelings about the events of the evening.
- C. Paragraph 1 includes background about a conflict that arose from the narrator's feelings about fashion.
- D. Paragraph 1 describes the narrator's father and his performance at the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
What is the main idea of this article?
- A. Equipment used to create power from ocean wave energy has become increasingly efficient.
- B. Increased utilization of ocean wave power could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- C. Ocean wave technology has great potential and also some disadvantages.
- D. Ocean waves may be beneficial and capturing their power has proven to preserve marine ecosystems.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The main idea encompasses both the potential and the drawbacks of ocean wave technology, highlighting a balanced view of its implications. Option A focuses solely on efficiency, missing the broader context of benefits and challenges. Option B emphasizes reducing fossil fuel reliance, which is a benefit but not the overarching theme. Option D discusses environmental benefits but overlooks the associated disadvantages. In contrast, option C effectively captures the complexity of ocean wave technology, acknowledging its promise while also recognizing the potential downsides.
The main idea encompasses both the potential and the drawbacks of ocean wave technology, highlighting a balanced view of its implications. Option A focuses solely on efficiency, missing the broader context of benefits and challenges. Option B emphasizes reducing fossil fuel reliance, which is a benefit but not the overarching theme. Option D discusses environmental benefits but overlooks the associated disadvantages. In contrast, option C effectively captures the complexity of ocean wave technology, acknowledging its promise while also recognizing the potential downsides.
Nobody was ever hurt by goin' to a circus. Why, law me! I remember I went to one myself once, when I was little.' Based on the excerpt, which key inference about Hester do the sentences support?
- A. She has a sarcastic perspective when thinking about her past
- B. She is frustrated with her husband and sons
- C. She is worried about the overwork of her sons.
- D. She has a permissive side that contrasts with her typical sternness
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The excerpt reveals Hester's nostalgic recollection of attending a circus, suggesting a lighter, more permissive side to her character, contrasting with her usual stern demeanor. This indicates that she values joyful experiences, especially in her past. Option A misinterprets her tone; there's no sarcasm present. Option B lacks support from the text, as it focuses on her past experience rather than frustration. Option C also does not align with the excerpt, which doesn’t mention her sons' workload or express concern about it. Thus, the focus on a joyful memory highlights her more lenient nature.
The excerpt reveals Hester's nostalgic recollection of attending a circus, suggesting a lighter, more permissive side to her character, contrasting with her usual stern demeanor. This indicates that she values joyful experiences, especially in her past. Option A misinterprets her tone; there's no sarcasm present. Option B lacks support from the text, as it focuses on her past experience rather than frustration. Option C also does not align with the excerpt, which doesn’t mention her sons' workload or express concern about it. Thus, the focus on a joyful memory highlights her more lenient nature.