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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 20137 <br /> <br />Kathleen Nelson, <br /> Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for Bethel University, <br />Drive property. She also <br />discussed the Campus Master Plan noting this was an internal planning document. She indicated <br />this plan would have to be redone to take into consideration the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> questioned how many students are approved for Bethel University at this time. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br />explained that in 1980, the Council approved a special use permit stating that <br />the residential population on the campus shall not exceed 2,300 students. <br /> <br />Jay Barnes, <br /> President of Bethel University, stated that the university is within this limit for <br />resident students, but also has a population of students that live off campus. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> <br />decision to purchase the building. <br /> <br />th <br />Ms. Nelson <br /> discussed the timeline stating that that after the 4 of <br />July holiday, Country Financial would be aggressively pursuing the sale of their building. She <br />indicated that if Bethel does not purchase the building, the university will still be leasing <br />approximately 26,000 square feet of office space at Country Financial. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> is pleased that Bethel University is in Arden Hills and wants to see <br />the college grow. However, he expressed concern with increasing the amount of institutional <br />space in the City and how this might impact the community. <br /> <br />Ms. Nelson <br /> explained some of these concerns were discussed at the last work session meeting. <br />She commented that if Bethel proceeds with the Pine Tree Drive project, the university would be <br />willing to sell other properties within Arden Hills. This would allow for those properties (library <br />and administrative offices) to go back on the tax roles. She reported the City would be losing <br />$21,000 per year from the Pine Tree property Drive if purchased by Bethel University. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> <br />building. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> asked if staff knew the present value of the 2 Pine Tree Drive property. <br /> <br />City Administrator Klaers <br /> responded that the 2012 taxable market value was approximately $16 <br />million. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> <br /> <br />Ms. Nelson <br /> stated she could provide this information to Council. She envisioned that Bethel <br />would be growing into the Pine Tree Drive property over the next 15 years. She commented that <br />the entire property would not immediately go tax exempt after Bethel purchased the property, but <br />rather would be based on use. She provided additional information regarding how Bethel <br />anticipated expanding into the Pine Tree Drive space over the next few years. It was noted that <br />science classes and the seminary would likely fill this space. <br />