09-16-13-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 7 Kathleen Nelson, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for Bethel University, provided a high level summary of Bethel's plans for the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. She also discussed the Campus Master Plan noting this was an internal planning document. She indicated this plan would have to be redone to take into consideration the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. Mayor Grant questioned how many students are approved for Bethel University at this time. City Planner Streff explained that in 1980, the Council approved a special use permit stating that the residential population on the campus shall not exceed 2,300 students. Jay Barnes, President of Bethel University, stated that the university is within this limit for resident students, but also has a population of students that live off campus. Councilmember McClung requested further information on the timeline regarding Bethel's decision to purchase the building. Ms. Nelson discussed the timeline stating that Bethel's realtor advised them that after the 4th of July holiday, Country Financial would be aggressively pursuing the sale of their building. She indicated that if Bethel does not purchase the building, the university will still be leasing approximately 26,000 square feet of office space at Country Financial. Councilmember McClung is pleased that Bethel University is in Arden Hills and wants to see the college grow. However, he expressed concern with increasing the amount of institutional space in the City and how this might impact the community. Ms. Nelson explained some of these concerns were discussed at the last work session meeting. She commented that if Bethel proceeds with the Pine Tree Drive project, the university would be willing to sell other properties within Arden Hills. This would allow for those properties (library and administrative offices) to go back on the tax roles. She reported the City would be losing $21,000 per year from the Pine Tree property Drive if purchased by Bethel University. Mayor Grant supported Bethel's efforts to sell the library and Baptist General Conference building. Councilmember Holden asked if staff knew the present value of the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. City Administrator Klaers responded that the 2012 taxable market value was approximately $16 million. Mayor Grant was in favor of reviewing Bethel's analysis further. Ms. Nelson stated she could provide this information to Council. She envisioned that Bethel would be growing into the Pine Tree Drive property over the next 15 years. She commented that the entire property would not immediately go tax exempt after Bethel purchased the property, but rather would be based on use. She provided additional information regarding how Bethel anticipated expanding into the Pine Tree Drive space over the next few years. It was noted that science classes and the seminary would likely fill this space.