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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 5, 20138 This application includes two distinct requests: 1. Zoning Code Amendment to allow schools for higher education as a Conditional Use in the B-2 District. 2. Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a higher education use as a tenant in the office building located at 2 Pine Tree Drive. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained Country Financial, located at 2 Pine Tree Drive, has applied for a Zoning Code amendment to allow higher education uses in the B-2 zoning district with a Conditional Use Permit. The property includes a 5-story, 227,138 square foot multi-tenant office building. Although the building address is located at 2 Pine Tree Drive, a small portion of the building and most of the parking lot is located on the parcel with the address of 12 Pine Tree Drive. The size of the parcels located at 2 and 12 Pine Tree Drive are 19.16 and 21.52 acres, respectively, for a total size of 40.68 acres. Country Financial has vacated much of the building and is currently marketing the building for sale or lease. Approximately 62% of the building is currently vacant. It was noted Country Financial has received a request for leased space from Bethel University. Bethel would like to lease approximately 26,000 square feet for administrative offices, general and specialized classrooms, meeting rooms, common spaces, and other general educational and related purposes. Most classes will be held between 5:30 pm and 10:00 pm, Monday through Thursday. The tenant will also use the leased space during the hours of 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, although this use will be more limited during normal business hours and weekends. According to information provided by Country Financial, Bethel students, guests, faculty, and administration will not exceed 4 per 1,000 rentable feet leased during normal business hours and no more than 8 per 1,000 rentable square feet after normal building hours. The property currently has approximately 777 surface parking stalls, or approximately one space per every 290 gross building square foot (one space per every 250 square feet of gross floor area is required by the Zoning Code for business and professional office uses). The applicant does not propose to add parking due to this use. The proposed use will not affect the exterior of the building. The tenant would like to sign a long-term lease for the facility with a scheduled occupancy date of August 15, 2013. Staff has prepared a draft amendment to Section 1320.05 (Land Use Chart) of the Zoning Code that adds School, higher education as a Conditional Use in the B-2 Zoning District. The applicant has submitted information addressing the request for a Zoning Code Amendment and CUP. Site Data Future Land Use Plan: CMU Community Mixed Use Existing Land Use: Commercial Zoning: B-2 General Business District Size: 40.68 acres (2 and 12 Pine Tree Drive) with a 227,138 square foot office building Topography: Relatively Flat