02-13-12 Draft Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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