03-26-12-WS Draft Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 26, 2012 2 City Planner Beekman indicated the applicant was interested in phasing the building. This would allow the developer to complete the improvements on the first and second floor first with the third and fourth floors completed when the market demanded. Staff explained the request includes a lot split. As part of the subdivision requirement, the City will require several upgrades to the parking lot and green space. She noted the B-2 Zoning District requires 20% green space per lot and in order to meet these requirements, additional green space would be needed for Lot 1. City Planner Beekman stated staff has been working with the applicant since early January. Several revisions have been made to the first proposal. She reviewed the concerns of staff being the proposed density of the apartment complex, the kitchens and lack of cooking surface/oven, along with increased traffic generation. The phasing of the building was a concern to the County Sheriff and how to keep people out of the vacant space on the upper two floors. The mix of unit types was another concern as 151 units would be studio units. The development may have more success with additional one and two bedroom units. At this time, the applicant was seeking comments and questions from the Council on the proposed redevelopment. Councilmember Holden questioned how the old McGuire's site would be locked off from tenants if the space remained vacant. City Planner Beekman noted all of the improvements made on Level 1 and Level 2, would be open to the tenants, but the McGuire's space would be secured. Councilmember Holden asked for the size of the units. Rob Davidson, TAT Properties, stated the units would be approximately 300 square feet in size. Councilmember Holmes discussed comments received from the Planning Commission. Councilmember Werner questioned if this type of renovation had been done to any other hotels in the metro area. City Planner Beekman was aware of one completed in St. Paul in the 1980's. The hotel was turned into studio apartments and was now a shelter for homeless women. Mayor Grant requested further information on the definition of a kitchen. City Planner Beekman stated the city's building code defined a kitchen to include a sink with hot and cold water with a sewer connection, a sanitary prep area (countertop), refrigeration and cooking appliance. In Roseville, ovens and stoves are required however this is not spelled out specifically in the building code. Mayor Grant questioned if the city could make an amendment to this code requiring a cook top or stove. City Planner Beekman stated this was the case.