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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 24, 201412 Associate Planner Bachler stated that Allina Health Emergency Medical Services (AHEMS) provides ambulance response service for much of the north metro region, including Arden Hills, under a license granted by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. AHEMS is the only emergency response service provider licensed to operate within the area. Associate Planner Bachler explained that in December 2013, AHEMS applied for a building permit to complete interior modifications at 1209 County Road E for an ambulance substation. Staff determined that the proposed use did not clearly fall under any of the permitted land use categories for the B-2 General Business District and recommended that an amendment to the Zoning Code be completed to permit ambulance dispatch facilities as a conditional use in the district. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the main AHEMS ambulance base is located in Mounds View. From the main ambulance base, between 6 and 14 ambulances are dispatched over the course of a day within the service area. A dynamic system is then used to continually relocate these ambulances to substations in the service area to provide optimal coverage. These substations are currently located in the communities of Vadnais Heights, Fridley, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Andover, and Oak Grove. Associate Planner Bachler indicated that the proposed substation at 1209 County Road E would largely respond to calls from Arden Hills, Shoreview, Roseville, New Brighton, Vadnais Heights, and Little Canada. It is expected that ambulances at this facility would respond to an average of 16 calls over a 24-hour period. Ambulance runs do not always originate at substations, as ambulances returning from previous calls will often respond to new service requests. Currently, the average ambulance response time in Arden Hills is 7:01 minutes, compared to 7:37 minutes in all communities served by AHEMS. The proposed substation would allow AHEMS to maintain this timely response to emergency calls. Associate Planner Bachler commented that 1209 County Road E is setback approximately 325 feet from County Road E and is situated behind two properties that are located closer to this roadway. The facility would occupy approximate 2,600 square feet in the multi-tenant building on the property. Interior modifications would be completed to provide a staff lounge and restroom, and a garage space for one ambulance, two trailers, and associated equipment. The ambulance would be parked inside of the building at all times and on-duty crewmembers would not need parking for private vehicles, as their personal vehicles are parked at the main base in Mounds View. Associate Planner Bachler discussed the Plan Evaluation in detail. He explained that the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 14-005 on February 5, 2014, and offers the following eleven (11) findings for consideration: 1. The property at 1209 County Road E is located in the B-2 General Business District. 2. Assuming that the proposed Zoning Code Amendment in Planning Case 14-004 is approved, a Conditional Use Permit would be required for an ambulance substation in the B-2 District. 3. Section 1355.04 Subd. 3 of the Arden Hills Zoning Code lists criteria for evaluating a Conditional Use Permit.