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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 5, 2014 5 <br /> <br />Steve Gaybauer, Clark Engineering, explained in detail the design of the parking lot noting it <br />would be curbed with storm water runoff. He then discussed the proposed filtration basin. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman asked if the applicant had a new tenant that was requiring <br />additional parking. <br /> <br />John Thompson, Transwestern, reported that Taylor Corporation, known as Venture, is the <br />current tenant and has been for the past 15 years. Venture is in the process of expanding and has <br />purchased an adjacent property. This expansion has created the need for additional parking. He <br />described how the proposed site improvements would improve the property and the water runoff <br />while also creating additional parking. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thompson asked if additional parking would be required in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Thompson discussed the parking available on the adjacent property for Venture employees. <br />He believed that the parking on-site, with the additional parking requested would meet the needs <br />of all tenants. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa asked if the retention pond would have standing water in it. <br /> <br />Mr. Gaybauer stated the infiltration basin would draw down within 48 hours of a rain event. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa feared how Transwestern would manage providing additional parking if <br />Venture were to add additional office space. <br /> <br />Mr. Thompson explained that Venture was leasing the adjacent building at 3728 Dunlap Street <br />for their current expansion and that this space would assist in meeting their parking needs. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bartel questioned if a two-level parking structure has been considered. <br /> <br />Mr. Gaybauer commented that the expense of a parking structure may not be feasible. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thompson was in favor of including the Rice Creek Watershed District approval <br />within the Findings of Fact or as a condition for approval, due to the fact that it addressed the <br />groundwater situation. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa wanted to support the business and the proposed site improvements. <br />However, he expressed concern with the proposed swale and wanted to see additional plantings <br />in the rain gardens. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bartel discussed the percentage of allowable impervious surfaces in business <br />districts. He explained he was having a hard time supporting this request due to the fact the <br />percentage of impervious surface was approaching 80%, and the adjacent property was nearing <br />90%. <br /> <br />Chair Larson understood this concern, but commented that the proposed retention pond and <br />filtration basin was better than the site’s current swale. He believed the retention pond and <br />filtration basin would improve the site and for that reason he supported the request.