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AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: September 16, 2013 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Ryan Streff, City Planner SUBJECT: Bethel University Conditional Use Permit Background/Discussion During the City Council Work Session on August 19, 2013, Bethel University approached the City Council with a proposal that included the purchase of the Country Financial property located at 2 Pine Tree Drive to permit higher education. Bethel spoke with the Council about their plan to exclusively use the facility for higher education and general office space within the next 5 to 15 years. Their goal from the work session was to obtain direction from the Council in order to proceed with their request. With further direction from the City Council, Bethel has gathered additional information regarding their plans to occupy the property at 2 Pine Tree Drive. At this time they would like the Council to review the proposal an additional time before they proceed to the Planning Commission. Bethel has provided a detailed summary of their proposed use in terms of growth, traffic and transportation, parking, lighting and security and signage. Again their objective is to purchase the building, and as leases expire, fully occupy the structure within 5 to 15 years. During this time Bethel University would slowly expand their higher education uses, including administrative offices, general and specialized classrooms, meeting rooms and other general educational uses into the space. Traffic & Trails Planning staff has been in contact with SRF Consulting in regards to the traffic study and parking analysis for the property. The traffic study and parking analysis will need to be complete before s proposal moves forward to the Planning Commission. Staff has also had discussions with Bethel regarding the need for a trail connection between their main campus and the proposed property at 2 Pine Tree Drive. As a result of these discussions, 12 Page of