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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 25, 201314 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> was in favor of having the applicant come back to the Council in the <br />future if additional classroom space is required. This would allow Bethel time to complete <br />another campus master plan, which could then be reviewed by the Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> proposed amending the amendment to allow for 19,000 square feet of classroom <br />space in the existing office building located at 2 Pine Tree Drive. <br /> <br />AMENDMENT: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a friendly <br />amendment motion to allow for only 19,000 square feet of classroom <br />space in the existing office building located at 2 Pine Tree Drive. <br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> questioned why the Council wanted to limit the amount of classroom <br />space at the 2 Pine Tree property for Bethel University. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> stated that the decision was long-term and Bethel has been a part of Arden Hills <br />since 1965. He commented that the conditional use permit would remain in place on the property <br />change in the future, an amendment from the Council could be requested. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> added that Bethel is uncertain of their classroom needs at this time. She <br />commented that the proposed classroom square footage i <br />plans. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br />indicated that the proposed 19,000 square feet would allow Bethel to <br />use only 10% of their building for classroom space. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> commented that this may be the case, but Bethel always has the option to come <br />back and request an amendment to the CUP if additional classroom space is needed. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> indicated that higher education at this location would change the <br />character of the B-2 zoning district, while also impacting the City as a whole. For this reason, he <br />believes the CUP should be amended as proposed by Councilmember Holden. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> stated that if the entire building were turned into classroom space the <br /> <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> explained that the proposed amendment would allow Bethel to move forward with <br />classroom and administrative space at the Pine Tree campus. The City and Bethel could then <br />evaluate how things are working over the next several years, and a certain level of control would <br />still be maintained by the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> did not feel that the City had to limit the amount of classroom space. <br />She wants to see the temporary classrooms removed from the main campus and the additional <br />space on the Pine Tree campus be used. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> questioned how much space on the Pine Tree campus had already been approved <br />for higher education. <br />