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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION December 4, 20139 <br /> <br />UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />REPORTS <br /> <br /> <br />A.Report from the City Council <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> reported that at the November 12, City Council Work Session <br />meeting, Charles Carlson (Senior Manager, BRT Small Starts Metro Transit) presented <br />information on the Snelling Avenue Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, which has been <br />approved by Metro Transit. Ramsey County and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce have been <br />meeting with Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council to discuss the possible extension of the <br />Snelling Avenue BRT line from its proposed terminus at the Rosedale Mall to serve the TCAAP <br />site. The extension would run north on Snelling and Hamline Avenues, and could serve <br />University of Northwestern, Bethel University, the County Road E business district, Land <br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> reported that at the November 18, City Council Work Session, staff <br />presented two concept reviews for projects that have been proposed on County Road E in the B-2 <br />District. The first is a proposed PUD Amendment at 1201 County Road E for a retail building at <br />the corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue. The property owner has been working <br />closely with Goodwill on the building design and site layout. Staff is expecting to receive an <br />application for the proposal by the deadline date for the January 2014, Planning Commission <br />meeting. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> explained that the second project was a proposed reuse of the <br />and retail center. The applicant plans to make improvements to the bui <br />the existing signage on the property. A concern raised by the Council was the limited number of <br />parking spaces that would be provided for the anticipated uses of the building. Creative Catering <br />has proposed mitigating the parking deficiency by securing shared parking agreements with <br />adjacent properties and others located in the area. Staff has determined that a Site Plan Review <br />application will be required for the proposed reuse of the property. At this time, Creative <br />Catering has not indicated whether they will be submitting an application. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> reported that at the November 25, City Council meeting, the Council <br />approved (5-0) three Ordinances to amend the Zoning Code: Ordinance 2013-010 establishes a <br />new Conservation District, Ordinance 2013-011 establishes a new Parks and Open Space <br />District, and Ordinance 2013-012 amends the existing design standards for the B-2 and B-3 <br />Districts. The Planning Commission reviewed the ordinances at the October 9 and November 6, <br />2013, meetings and unanimously recommended approval of each. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> stated that the Council reviewed two Site Plan Review applications <br />for the Gradient Financial building at 4105 Lexington Avenue North. The request for a sign <br />standard adjustment allowing for a 126 square foot sign on the northeast wall of the building was <br />approved (5-0). The Council voted to table (5-0) the proposal for an accessory structure that <br />would be located in the northwest corner of the lot. Staff was instructed to work with the <br /> <br />