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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 24, 2014 8 Mayor Grant commented that 43% of the City's taxable value is tax exempt. This means that 57% of the property owners in Arden Hills are paying for 100% of the City's services. This is somewhat of an anomaly that was reviewed with Xcel Energy. He believes that the Council will be looking into other funding options to address the much needed street improvement and trail/public safety issues. He discussed the City's recent tax levy noting that the majority of the 2.08% increase was for public safety. He thanked the residents and business owners again for providing feedback on this topic. Mayor Grant recommended that the Council take a five minute recess to allow residents to file out of the Council Chambers. The Council meeting recessed at 9:00 p.m. Mayor Grant reconvened the Council meeting at 9:05 p.m. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case 14-004 — Zoning Code Amendment — Ambulance Dispatch Facility 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 indicated 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 explained that AHEMS previously operated an ambulance station at 3760 Dunlap Street for several years beginning in 1991. The City approved this use on an interim basis in Planning Case 91-013, as the facility was not seen as being consistent with the long-term vision for the B-4 Retail Center District. At that time, the facility functioned as the main ambulance base for the area and deployed crews to three substations. The main AHEMS ambulance base is now located in Mounds View. Associate Planner Bachler provided an overview of the request and explained that the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 14-004 at their February 5, 2014, meeting, and offers the following five (5) findings for your consideration: 1. The property at 1209 County Road E is located in the B-2 General Business District. 2. The proposed ambulance substation is not allowed as a permitted conditional use within the B-2 District. 3. The applicant has requested a Zoning Code Amendment to create a new definition for an ambulance dispatch facility land use and to permit this use as a conditional use in the B-2 District.