Citizens caught in the zoning crossroads of East Lansing are taking a calculated risk - if they buy a home near a vacant commercially zoned area, a business might plant down next to them, or they might get lucky and be able to keep that warm, fuzzy neighborhood feeling. Regardless, it's a risk.

Residents on Cowley Avenue are now facing the risks they bought into. They are concerned development of the dilapidated former Albert Pic Motel will not only bring more retail shops to the already crowded area, but more traffic on their streets.

The structure in debate closed its doors in 2000 and has sat vacant ever since. The Strathmore Development Company currently is petitioning the East Lansing Planning Commission to rezone the area to include retail shops. The company's proposal calls for a one-story retail building with a drive-up Starbucks Coffee Company, along with another two-story retail building slated to include a drive-through Fifth Third Bank.

This is a proactive way to prevent this abandoned building from turning into a crack den or an arson target. It would not only add to East Lansing's tax base for schools, but also would rid the city of this eyesore. Although residents might be wary these shops could whose bring traffic, it is better than having a vacant building wasting away.

And to alleviate residents' concerns, the city traffic engineer is working to change the one-way section of Coolidge Road between West Saginaw Street and West Grand River Avenue to a two-way street. Also, in response to neighborhood concerns, Strathmore agreed no 24-hour retail outlets would be introduced to the proposal.

The residents knew when they bought their houses they were rooting near a commercially zoned area. If developers are willing to remove the abandoned building and reinstate new retail shops, residents need to accept the proposal and the renovation with open arms.