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.
Which conclusion is most strongly supported by the information in the email to the zoning commissioner?
- A. Locally owned businesses are commonly found in small communities inside larger cities.
- B. Superstores employ high numbers of residents from the communities where the stores are located.
- C. Many residents in rural areas believe that new growth should be allowed only after approval of nearby communities.
- D. Consumers like the convenience of superstores as long as the stores are located outside their communities.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C is supported by the email's emphasis on the importance of community approval for new growth, reflecting the concerns of rural residents regarding development. This highlights a desire for local governance in decision-making processes. Option A lacks direct support from the email, as it does not address the specific relationship between locally owned businesses and small communities within larger cities. Option B misrepresents the focus of the email, which does not discuss employment statistics related to superstores. Option D contradicts the email's main points, as it does not mention consumer preferences for superstores' locations, instead prioritizing community input in development decisions.
Option C is supported by the email's emphasis on the importance of community approval for new growth, reflecting the concerns of rural residents regarding development. This highlights a desire for local governance in decision-making processes. Option A lacks direct support from the email, as it does not address the specific relationship between locally owned businesses and small communities within larger cities. Option B misrepresents the focus of the email, which does not discuss employment statistics related to superstores. Option D contradicts the email's main points, as it does not mention consumer preferences for superstores' locations, instead prioritizing community input in development decisions.
Other Related Questions
Why does the author mention Lissa in paragraph 5?
- A. to show that Burl is frustrated over losing money
- B. to foreshadow Burl's anxieties about his business
- C. to portray Burl's real feelings toward the thief
- D. to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
In this excerpt, the author suggests that Burl needs help
- A. solving a mystery that troubles him.
- B. cleaning out his honey stand.
- C. working at his honey stand.
- D. making personal improvements.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The excerpt indicates that Burl is experiencing a troubling mystery, which implies a need for assistance in resolving his concerns. Option A accurately reflects this need for help with a specific problem. Option B, cleaning out his honey stand, suggests a task that may not be linked to his emotional or mental state. Option C, working at his honey stand, implies he is capable of managing his responsibilities without external help. Lastly, Option D, making personal improvements, is too vague and does not directly connect to the immediate issue Burl faces, which centers around a mystery rather than personal development.
The excerpt indicates that Burl is experiencing a troubling mystery, which implies a need for assistance in resolving his concerns. Option A accurately reflects this need for help with a specific problem. Option B, cleaning out his honey stand, suggests a task that may not be linked to his emotional or mental state. Option C, working at his honey stand, implies he is capable of managing his responsibilities without external help. Lastly, Option D, making personal improvements, is too vague and does not directly connect to the immediate issue Burl faces, which centers around a mystery rather than personal development.
What technique does the author use to reveal the narrator's perspective about the ladies at the concert?
- A. She compares the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls.
- B. She repeats descriptive words to show the ladies' perfection.
- C. She exaggerates the appearance of the ladies.
- D. She describes two extremes of the ladies' dresses.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
How does paragraph 3 function in the article?
- A. It develops the general point made in paragraph 2 by giving specific examples.
- B. It presents a counterargument to a claim made in paragraph 2.
- C. It discusses general topics that are further developed by concrete examples in paragraph 4.
- D. It provides a transition between a controversial topic begun in paragraph 2 and finished in paragraph 4.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Paragraph 3 effectively supports the general point established in paragraph 2 by presenting specific examples that illustrate the broader claim. This approach enhances understanding by grounding abstract ideas in concrete instances. Option B is incorrect as paragraph 3 does not introduce a counterargument; rather, it reinforces the main idea. Option C misrepresents the function of paragraph 3, as it does not merely discuss general topics but rather focuses on specific examples. Option D fails to capture the essence of paragraph 3, as it does not serve primarily as a transition but as a means to elaborate on the preceding claim.
Paragraph 3 effectively supports the general point established in paragraph 2 by presenting specific examples that illustrate the broader claim. This approach enhances understanding by grounding abstract ideas in concrete instances. Option B is incorrect as paragraph 3 does not introduce a counterargument; rather, it reinforces the main idea. Option C misrepresents the function of paragraph 3, as it does not merely discuss general topics but rather focuses on specific examples. Option D fails to capture the essence of paragraph 3, as it does not serve primarily as a transition but as a means to elaborate on the preceding claim.