Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 2 <br /> development options. A concept review is considered advisory and is nonbinding to the City and <br /> applicant. If the petitioner chooses to proceed, a formal application will be subject to the full <br /> review process, including a public hearing with Planning Commission and City Council review. <br /> City Planner Beekman further explained that the property at 1300 Grey Fox Road is zoned I- <br /> Flex. It is currently vacant, but was previously owned and operated by Eastside Beverage as a <br /> distribution center and warehouse. The property is approximately 6.6 acres in size and has an <br /> 84,912 square foot building on it. There is also a rail spur on the property. <br /> City Planner Beekman stated that the Salvation Army is requesting a concept review of a <br /> proposal to allow the reuse of the existing building at 1300 Grey Fox Road as a mixed-use, live- <br /> work facility. The applicant is proposing to retain and renovate the existing 84,912 square foot <br /> structure, utilizing it as a warehouse and processing facility for goods going to and from Salvation <br /> Army retail stores. The Salvation Army would take advantage of the existing rail spur to transport <br /> goods throughout the region. <br /> David Anderson, from Frauenshuh Inc., stated that he has been assisting the Salvation Army with <br /> the evaluation of the property and the facility requirements and can answer questions the Council <br /> may have. He explained that Bill Price, the administrator of the Salvation Army's Adult <br /> Rehabilitation Center (ARC) location in Minneapolis, was not able to be present for tonight's <br /> meeting due to illness. <br /> Annette Bauer, Salvation Army, stated there are 27 different locations in the Twin Cities and <br /> they serve approximately 288,000 people every year. They have a $34 million investment in the <br /> Cities and provide crisis intervention for many people as well as manage several thrift stores. The <br /> proposal for the Arden Hills site is for anAdult Rehabilitation Center. She explained that the <br /> ARC in Minneapolis has been in the same building for 64 years and the structure is starting to <br /> deteriorate. <br /> George Frazier, Salvation Army Program Director, explained that what this program does is help <br /> men rebuild their lives. They currently have 125 men enrolled in their six-month program. The <br /> men work 8 hours a day in some aspect of the Salvation Army operation. The men participate in <br /> programming at night and each resident is given a YMCA membership where they go to work out. <br /> He added that their Rehabilitation Centers are closed facilities and should not be confused with <br /> the Salvation Army's Harbor Lights shelter in Minneapolis. Also, confidentiality statutes prohibit <br /> people from coming and going from the Rehabilitation Center. The program does not include any <br /> sex offenders and because they are not a treatment facility, they cannot take men with mental <br /> conditions which require medication. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned how they would know whether or not a prospective participant has <br /> psychiatric problems. <br /> Mr. Frazier responded that initial assessments are done on those individuals who come into the <br /> program. Also, many residents are referred to this program from another social service program <br /> where their background is known. <br />