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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 28, 201311 <br /> <br />Patrick Mazorol <br />, Senior Vice President for University Relations at Bethel University, thanked <br />be a valuable asset to Arden Hills. He reported the University was 150 years old and was <br />continuing to grow and expand its programs. He reviewed the recent national awards Bethel had <br />received for Science and Business/Economics. <br /> <br />Mr. Mazorol <br /> discussed how the 2 Pine Tree Drive property would allow Bethel to expand while <br />remaining within the City of Arden Hills. He explained the trails on the property would remain <br />open to the public. Bethel has agreed to provide the City $800,000 toward a connection trail from <br />n campus to the Pine Tree property. He reviewed the proposed phasing of the Pine <br />Tree property by Bethel. It was noted Bethel had no intention of building new facilities on the <br />Pine Tree property in the foreseeable future. <br /> <br />Mr. Mazorol <br /> addressed one of the concerns raised by the Planning Commission concerning when <br />undergraduate classes could begin at the Pine Tree location and the need for a shuttle service to be <br />conditional use permit request. <br /> <br />Jeremy Morris <br />, Country Financial, explained that Country Financial has had a presence in Arden <br />Hills for a number of years and has greatly contributed to the community. He stated he was <br />extremely grateful to staff and the City Council for considering the request from Bethel. <br /> <br />Gregg Larson <br />, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, expressed concern that while Bethel has no plans <br />for further developing the Pine Tree Drive property, this issue should be further addressed by the <br />Council. He stated it was likely that at some point in the future Bethel would be back before the <br />City requesting approval for additional buildings or other facilities on the property. He <br />encouraged the Council to keep its eyes open regarding this matter. He described a discrepancy <br />leted master plan, noting it did not align with the proposed <br />expansion onto the Pine Tree Drive property. He questioned why this proposal was not brought to <br />the residents for discussion on how the campus expansion would affect the general public. He <br />encouraged the Council to increase communication efforts with their constituents. <br /> <br />Mark Arend <br />, 1301 Canon Avenue, explained his home bordered the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. <br />He reported four months ago, while walking the paths, he was notified that the building would be <br />put up for sale. He was pleased when he learned that Bethel University may purchase the <br />property. He supported the request for higher education at the Pine Tree property. <br /> <br />John Wicklund <br />, 4510 Keithson Drive, commented he has lived in Arden Hills for 35 years and <br />grew up on Chatham Avenue near Bethel. He fully supported Bethel University expanding to the <br />Pine Tree Drive property. He stated this would increase jobs in Arden Hills while improving the <br /> <br /> <br />Rod Larson <br />, 1566 Royal Hills Drive, indicated he sent an email to the Council last week and <br />appreciated the responses he received from several Councilmembers. He explained he attended <br />Bethel and was a proud alum. He encouraged the Council to support the conditional use permit. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br />closed the public comment portion of the meeting at 9:12 p.m. <br />