Protect Forest Lake's Retail Businesses

This petition is in regard to changing the temporary seasonal sales ordinance in the city of Forest Lake.   The change has to do with the number of days that a temporary business can operate and compete with the permanent businesses that support our community 12 months a year.  The change will be voted on November 23 with a public hearing on November 4.  Both events are at 7pm at FL City hall.

Current ordinance
Allows for two 60 day periods annually with no less than 60 days seperating the two periods.  Total of 120 days or 33% of time.

Petitoning change to the ordinace - Supporting change
To allow two 30 day periods with no less than 60 days separating the two periods.

By signging this petition you are showing support for the following:

1.  A 60 day sales period is excessive.  Temporary = 30 days max.
2.  An ordinance that creates a more equal and fair business environment.
3.  Protecting our permanent businesses and community image.

The petitioned change would not affect produce vendors, arts in the park, farmers markets or 4th of July vendors.

Statement of Facts and Overview:

The temporary seasonal sales ordinance allows any retailer to set up a temporary store structure to sell almost ANY product or service.   They are permitted to set up in parking lots and street corners and they do not a penny in property taxes.  A single permanent retail business pays between $10,000 and $100,000 a year in property taxes.

There are limited structural and facility requirements for temporary structures which results in a low cost of entry and overhead.   To the contrary, there are several structural and facility requirements for the permanent, brick and mortar busineeses which results in a high cost of entry and overhead.   Some of these requirements are:

Electrical-plumbing-signage-engineering-hadicap accessibility-permit & city fees-snow & wind structural loads and more.
 
1.  High property taxes plus high design/build standards = High cost of  
     doing business.
    

2.  Zero $ in property taxes  plus minimal design standards = Low cost of
     doing business.

1 plus 2  = an instant competitive disadvantage for FL permanent businesses.

Lets join the following cities in protecting our permanent businesses by restricting this ordinance: (partial list)
Hugo, Lino Lakes, Edina, Excelsior, Apple Valley, Minneapolis, Richfield, West St Paul, Lakeville.

For questions contact:

Sandy Husnik, Ace Hardware 651.464.6262
Corey Roberts, Forest Lake Floral 651.755.6401