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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION –December 4, 201310 <br />applicant to find an appropriate exterior building material that is compatible with the principle <br />building before bringing this item back to Council. The Planning Commission reviewed these <br />cases at their November 6, 2013, meeting and unanimously recommended approval of each. <br />Councilmember McClung <br />reported thatthe Council voted to approve (4-1, McClung) Planning <br />Case 13-013 for a conditional use permit to allow Bethel University to use the existing office <br />building at 2 Pine Tree Drive for a higher education use. The Council approved three <br />amendments to the proposal to require Bethel to annually submit a parking plan for City <br />approval; to push back the start of Phase II of the project from 2014 to 2015; and to limit the total <br />classroom spacein the building to 19,000 square feet. The Planning Commission reviewed this <br />case at their October 9, 2013, meeting and unanimously recommended approval. <br />Councilmember McClung <br />thanked the Planning Commission for allowing him to serve as the <br />Council Liaison for the past year. He reported that Councilmember Fran Holmes would be <br />acting as the Council Liaison in 2014. <br />B.TCAAP Update <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher <br />reportedthatin collaboration with the St. Paul <br />Chamber of Commerce, the City held anon-site master planning workshop at Land O’Lakes on <br />Thursday, November 7. This was a pilot project designed to determine whether the City could <br />reach a younger and more diverse demographic with targeted, on-site events. The twelve <br />participants generally ranged in age from the 20’s to the early 30’s. <br />Comments received included the following: <br />•Participants wanted to be able to walk to bars, restaurants, and entertainment <br />venues from their homes, but acknowledged that cars will still be their primary <br />mode of transportation. <br />•Participants suggested that a transit center or park and ride should be included to <br />provide transportation options. <br />•Participants felt that professionals moving to the area and starting careers would <br />be most interested in townhomes and condominiums, but young families would <br />prefer single-family homes. <br />•Participants mostly (but not unanimously) favored public open space over large <br />private yards. Back yards should be just big enough to “throw a ball”. <br />•Participants wanted tominimize their time spent on household chores and <br />maintenance –most preferred a home no larger than necessary and a homeowner’s <br />association to take care of mowing and shoveling. <br />When asked how to reach a younger demographic, attendees responded that events such as the <br />one at Land O’Lakes are an innovative and effective way to reach their age group. Participation <br />makes them want to seek additional opportunities to be involved. Attendees also suggested using <br />social media tools such as Facebook, Instagram,and Linked-In. <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher <br />explained that given the success of the event <br />and the positive feedback received, the City is working with SPACC to schedule additional on- <br />site master planning workshops at major employers in January and February. <br />