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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—OCTOBER 28, 2013 11 Patrick Mazorol, Senior Vice President for University Relations at Bethel University, thanked staff for their time in preparing tonight's presentation. He indicated Bethel wanted to continue to be a valuable asset to Arden Hills. He reported the University was 150 years old and was continuing to grow and expand its programs. He reviewed the recent national awards Bethel had received for Science and Business/Economics. Mr. Mazorol discussed how the 2 Pine Tree Drive property would allow Bethel to expand while remaining within the City of Arden Hills. He explained the trails on the property would remain open to the public. Bethel has agreed to provide the City $800,000 toward a connection trail from Bethel's main campus to the Pine Tree property. He reviewed the proposed phasing of the Pine Tree property by Bethel. It was noted Bethel had no intention of building new facilities on the Pine Tree property in the foreseeable future. Mr. Mazorol addressed one of the concerns raised by the Planning Commission concerning when undergraduate classes could begin at the Pine Tree location and the need for a shuttle service to be in place. He thanked the Council for their time this evening and for considering Bethel's conditional use permit request. Jeremy Morris, Country Financial, explained that Country Financial has had a presence in Arden Hills for a number of years and has greatly contributed to the community. He stated he was extremely grateful to staff and the City Council for considering the request from Bethel. Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, expressed concern that while Bethel has no plans for further developing the Pine Tree Drive property, this issue should be further addressed by the Council. He stated it was likely that at some point in the future Bethel would be back before the City requesting approval for additional buildings or other facilities on the property. He encouraged the Council to keep its eyes open regarding this matter. He described a discrepancy between Bethel's recently completed master plan, noting it did not align with the proposed expansion onto the Pine Tree Drive property. He questioned why this proposal was not brought to the residents for discussion on how the campus expansion would affect the general public. He encouraged the Council to increase communication efforts with their constituents. Mark Arend, 1301 Canon Avenue, explained his home bordered the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. He reported four months ago, while walking the paths, he was notified that the building would be put up for sale. He was pleased when he learned that Bethel University may purchase the property. He supported the request for higher education at the Pine Tree property. John Wicklund, 4510 Keithson Drive, commented he has lived in Arden Hills for 35 years and grew up on Chatham Avenue near Bethel. He fully supported Bethel University expanding to the Pine Tree Drive property. He stated this would increase jobs in Arden Hills while improving the City's economy. Rod Larson, 1566 Royal Hills Drive, indicated he sent an email to the Council last week and appreciated the responses he received from several Councilmembers. He explained he attended Bethel and was a proud alum. He encouraged the Council to support the conditional use permit. Mayor Grant closed the public comment portion of the meeting at 9:12 p.m.