One man’s dream could be Excelsior’s nightmare
To the Editor:
We are at a crossroad in Excelsior – we are either going to guard against huge ill-fitting concrete developments, which ignore the guidelines in our comprehensive plan, or begin the sad road which Wayzata has taken.
Not only is the proposed downtown hotel Charles James’ dream, but our mayor has quietly and purposefully crafted a plan, which ignores Excelsior’s comprehensive plan. He has thrown down a red carpet for a man who knows nothing about the hotel business, nor has he presented a “feasibility study.” He cares only about his dream.
This is too important to be rushed. It looks like a stampede.
The comprehensive plan was written by our citizens to safeguard Excelsior against buildings in historic downtown that exceed mass and scale limits and the 35-foot height limit. Two dangerous precedents.
We have been told repeatedly about the tremendous tax benefits, which we would receive from the hotel project. The truth about all commercial taxes is this – Excelsior receives only 12 percent.
If you are concerned about his frenetic campaign to erect a structure, which neither fits on the lot nor the historic downtown district, please come to the Planning Commission meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, and share your thoughts.
Judy Mueller, Excelsior
