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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 8, 2014 3 <br /> <br />indicated by the applicant a two-phased approach would be used in order to complete the <br />proposed project. In the fall of 2014, during Phase 1, the western half of the parking lot would be <br />reconstructed. Construction of Phase 2 is proposed to be completed in 2015, and will include the <br />remaining eastern half of the parking lot. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff indicated that in Phase 1 of construction a new access off of County Road F <br />West would be constructed slightly to the west of the existing access in order to align the new <br />access with the new driveway section being constructed up to the front entrance of the building. <br />The proposed design is intended to better facilitate traffic movements within the site and to orient <br />drivers towards the front of the building. As part of the new driveway design, a one-way traffic <br />circle is being proposed to move drivers more efficiently towards the front entrance before <br />transitioning to a parking space within the parking lot or to the front drop-off location. During <br />Phase 1 new parking spaces would be created along the southwestern edge of the parking lot to <br />make up for the spaces lost during the construction of the new entrance off of County Road F <br />West and closure of the access in Phase 2 along Lexington Avenue North. The modifications <br />being made to the parking lot in Phase 1 are being completed in order to accommodate the <br />roadway expansion project proposed by Ramsey County at the intersection of Lexington Avenue <br />North and County Road F West. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff explained that during Phase 2 of construction the secondary driveway along <br />Lexington Avenue North would be permanently closed so that a right turn lane onto County <br />Road F West can be constructed. The roadway expansion project would result in the removal of <br />additional parking spaces along the eastern side of the property. The removal of these parking <br />spaces is critical to the plans as this additional space is needed for the new turn lane and <br />landscaping buffer along Lexington Avenue North. Phase 2 includes new parking spaces along <br />the north property line and around the rain garden that is proposed to be constructed within the <br />old driving lane that provided access out to Lexington Avenue North. <br /> <br />Site Data <br />Land Use Plan: I/O - Light Industrial and Office <br />Existing Land Use: Office <br />Zoning: I-1 – Limited Industrial District <br />Current Lot Sizes: 5.17 Acres <br />Topography: Fairly Flat <br /> <br />City Planner Streff reviewed the surrounding area and the Plan Evaluation. He provided the <br />following Findings of Fact for review: <br /> <br />General Findings <br />1. The property is located in the I-1 Limited Industrial Zoning District. <br />2. The lot is 226,098 square feet in size with approximate dimensions of 640 feet in width, <br />and 350 feet in depth. <br />3. The property currently consists of a principal building 24,006 square feet in size and an <br />accessory structure 1,800 square feet in size. <br />4. Ramsey County is proposing traffic improvements along Lexington Avenue North and <br />County Road F West. <br />5. The property currently has access off of both Lexington Avenue North and County Road <br />F West.