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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 27, 201417 <br /> <br />complies with virtually every underlining zoning requirement in the B-2 District; including size. <br />He noted that the size of the proposed building is well within the size parameters of the <br />underlying zoning. For the past two or three months, a lot of work has gone into designing a <br />building that would meet the B-2 district standards and what has been designed is a building that <br />would be situated at the property setback line; a building that is brick and glass in character; and a <br />use that has a minimal impact on the community. <br /> <br />Mr. Davidson <br /> indicated that as the Council rightly points out, this is a tricky site. Access has <br />been limited to County Road E because the County does not want access to Lexington Avenue. <br />As a consequence of the access being directed to County Road E, there are a limited number of <br />users whose business can work in that kind of environment in a retail district. He noted that the <br />site and its access have worked for 25 years with a restaurant, a hotel, and a banquet center that <br />have utilized all kinds of trucks. He noted that there is an exit to the west of this site, but to his <br />knowledge, this particular access has been used for years without any adverse impact to the <br />community; therefore, he is unclear about the access issue. He believed there is no access <br />problem as trucks are currently servicing the retail component on the site. He is distraught that <br />the zoning code is being ignored because there is an opinion that a building is too big. He noted <br />that Ramsey County approved the access to the site, as did the traffic consultant and City staff. <br />He is disheartened that a wonderful use that could help revitalize County Road E is being rejected <br />because of a perceived traffic issue, and he is also disappointed that this proposal has not been <br />embraced by the Council since it does meet the heart and soul of the B-2 District. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> reiterated that the size of the proposed building was previously discussed by the <br />Council at a work session (on November 18, 2013) with Mr. Davidson. It should not come as a <br />surprise that the Council did not support the size of the building. <br /> <br />Mr. Davidson <br /> reported that the proposed building met the B-2 Design Standards and setback <br />zoning requirements. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> questioned why the Council held work sessions with developers to <br />provide input on potential developments when Council comments were not heeded. She <br />appreciated the work completed by staff and the developer on this site; however, she did not <br />support the PUD amendment. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> agreed stating each of the concerns raised this evening were brought <br />to the developer by the Council at a previous work session. He explained that the developer took <br />no initiative to mitigate any of these concerns. <br /> <br />The motion carried (5-0). <br /> <br />City Attorney Jamnik <br />reported that he would be drafting findings for the Council to approve at <br />its next meeting as part of this case. <br /> <br />9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS <br /> <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />