Letter: Imagine a Target in Scotts Valley

EDITOR,
John Lennon said it best in his song, “Imagine.” The song has a lot of different interpretations and meanings to many different people. It could be about hate, love, uncertainty, peace, coming together, consequences of actions, etc.
How does the song apply to Scotts Valley? Imagine our community changing in the name of commercialism and lowering our quality of life.
Many of us chose to live in peaceful Scotts Valley, to get away from the Silicon Valley impacts of congestion, pollution and the headaches of traffic. Does Target make our lives better or worse?
Next, imagine Santa Cruz Costco, with its huge parking lot and oversized building, moving next to the Scotts Valley Hilton. The difference is that Costco is in a commercial zone, whereas Scotts Valley wants to place Target on a two-lane country road. Does Target make our streets safer or worse?
The song “Imagine” is thought-provoking. I assume the song was written to make us all stop, wonder and place some forethought on life.
By placing a big Target sign at the mouth of Scotts Valley, the company hopes to draw more cars to its store. Expect longer delays not only at the Mt. Hermon on- and off-ramps, but all along the Mt. Hermon corridor as you try to get through town.
And what about the proposed new fire station across from Target?
Does a 143,000-square-foot store and 512 parking places improve your life? Just imagine.
You have until Nov. 4, 2009, to let your voice be heard by the City Council about this issue. After that, no more imagining. The City Council will decide on this project.