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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 28, 2013 7 1)The first variance is being requested to exceed the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) by 313 square feet. 2)The second variance is being requested to allow flexibility in the setback regulations to expand the existing deck, construct a front entrance overhang and add sunshades to the south facing elevations of the home. The motion carried (3-2) (Holden and Holmes opposed). 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case #13-013 Bethel University – 2 Pine Tree Drive – CUP – Higher Education (Public Comments will be accepted) City Planner Streff indicated the City has received a proposal from Bethel University to obtain a conditional use permit to allow higher education as the principal use of the property at 2 Pine Tree Drive. The University has negotiated a purchase agreement in order to acquire the property from Country Financial, contingent on the approval of a conditional use permit that would allow the entire facility to be used for higher education and other general administrative uses. If approved this site would function as the east Campus for Bethel University. City Planner Streff explained the applicant has applied to expand the higher educational use at 2 Pine Tree Drive to encompass the entire 189,804 square foot facility. Their objective is to purchase the building, and as leases expire, fully occupy the structure within 5 to 15 years. Bethel University has a plan to slowly expand their higher education uses, including administrative offices, general and specialized classrooms, meeting rooms and other general educational uses into the space. Bethel University previously obtained a conditional use permit (Planning Case #13-008) from the City to occupy approximately 26,000 square feet of the County Financial building for higher education. The approval was granted for higher education but requires the University to seek additional approval for any expansion or intensification of the use. City Planner Streff stated the property located at 2 Pine Tree Drive is currently owned by Mutual Services Life Insurance Company (c/o Country Life Insurance Company) also known as Country Financial. The property is generally positioned north of Lake Josephine, south of County Road E, east of Highway 51/Snelling Avenue and west of Lexington Avenue. The property consists of three (3) parcels that total approximately forty-three (43) acres. Of the three (3) continuous parcels only the northern two have associated functions that currently relate to the proposed principle use of the property. The northern parcel which is 21.52 acres in size contains the access road off of Pine Tree Drive and the majority of the surface parking. The center parcel which is 19.16 acres in size contains the one (1) existing building and a small fraction of the surface parking. The remaining undeveloped parcel to the south is 2.43 acres in size and is made up of mainly woodlands and wetlands.