2A, Concept Review 1300 Grey Fox Road - Salvation Army Proposal

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Background The property at 1300 Grey Fox Road is zoned I-Flex. It is currently vacant, but was previously owned and operated by Eastside Beverage as a distribution center and warehouse. The property is approximately 6.6 acres in size and has an 84,912 square foot building on it. There is also a rail spur on the property. The Salvation Army is requesting a concept review of a proposal to allow the reuse of the existing building at 1300 Grey Fox Road as a mixed-use, live-work facility. The applicant is proposing to retain and renovate the existing 84,912 square foot structure, utilizing it as a warehouse and processing facility for goods going to and from Salvation Army retail stores. The Salvation Army would take advantage of the existing rail spur to transport goods throughout the region. In addition to the warehouse/processing use, the applicant is proposing a residential component that would allow 130 selectively-chosen volunteer beneficiaries to live and work at the site as part of the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC). The ARC program beneficiaries are men who reside on site and participate in a 6-8 month residential and work rehabilitation program. The beneficiaries work in the processing center, and participate in educational, spiritual, and counseling programs on site. The beneficiaries are not permitted to have vehicles. The Salvation Army does not accept beneficiaries into the program that have criminal records that include criminal sexual convictions, arson, or mental illnesses which require treatment in a licensed medical treatment center. There would be an additional approximately 50 to 60 full-time professional, administrative, and support staff working at the site. As part of this use, the Salvation Army would propose to construct a new building that would accommodate the facility's administrative and housing needs. The total cost of improvements to the site is estimated at over$14 million. The Salvation Army has submitted a detailed letter describing their concept, their interest in the property, images of similar facilities, as well as two possible scenarios for the configuration of the building as a single or a multi-story addition (Attached). As part of the plan, the applicant is proposing to make landscaping enhancements to give the site a campus-like operational setting and also to construct 70-80 additional parking spaces for the Salvation Army's employees and visitors. Possible Review Process Presently, the Zoning Code does not allow residential uses within the I-Flex Zoning District. Land uses that are not specifically identified in a city's zoning code as permitted or conditional City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session for February 13, 2012 P:WlanningWlanning Cases12012U2-004-1300 Grey Fox Road-Salvation Army Concept Review103-07-12-CC Work Session Report- Concept Review.doex Page 2 of 4