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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION — August 5, 2015 2 <br />and commercial building space was approved under the original PUD. For each successive phase <br />of the redevelopment, the property owner is required to submit a Final PUD plan to verify <br />general conformance with the Master PUD and to provide more detailed development plans for <br />the phase to be implemented. <br />Associate Planner Bachler indicated that the Master PUD was amended in 2011 (Planning Case <br />11-016) to include a revised subdivision plan and updated final development plans for the <br />existing Walgreens Pharmacy. Phase I of the Master PUD was completed in 2012, and included <br />the construction of the Walgreens building, modifications to parking and circulation within the <br />retail center, and the construction of stormwater basins required for the proposed build -out of the <br />site. <br />Associate Planner Bachler reported that the City approved a second amendment to the Master <br />PUD and a Preliminary Plat in March 2015 for the further subdivision of Lot 3, where the <br />existing retail center is located, into three smaller lots (Planning Case 15-002). Approval of the <br />Final Plat was conditioned on building improvements that are now under construction by Arden <br />Plaza, LLC. Planning Case 15-002 also included modifications to the retail center parking lot and <br />an increase in the Phase III building footprint. The new plat is titled Arden Plaza 2nd Addition, <br />and Lot 1 within the plat is proposed for the Tavern Restaurant development. <br />Associate Planner Bachler commented that the Master PUD specifically identifies the <br />Lexington Avenue site where the Tavern Restaurant development is proposed as Phase III. He <br />noted that Phase II of the Master PUD has not yet been completed. Phase II will include the <br />development of the parcel on County Road E adjacent to the Walgreens pharmacy for a 6,000 <br />square foot retail or restaurant use. Arden Plaza, LLC continues to market this site to potential <br />buyers and tenants. <br />Associate Planner Bachler stated that Hemisphere Restaurant Partners has requested a Final <br />PUD for Phase III of the Arden Plaza Master PUD to develop Lot 1, Arden Plaza 2nd Addition <br />for a sit-down restaurant. The Master PUD Site Plan shows Phase III being developed as a <br />20,136 square foot retail building. The proposal by Hemisphere Restaurant Partners would result <br />in an overall lower density development on the site than what was originally approved for Phase <br />III. The development plans are in substantial conformance with the Master PUD plans. <br />Associate Planner Bachler explained that Hemisphere currently operates three Tavern <br />Restaurants in the Twin Cities metro, with locations in Edina, Woodbury, and Blaine. The <br />proposed Tavern Restaurant in Arden Hills would be similar to these other restaurants and would <br />provide a relaxed but up -scale atmosphere. The development would include the restaurant <br />building, which would have a footprint of 9,500 square feet, and an attached 3,050 square foot <br />outdoor patio area for seasonal seating. <br />Associate Planner Bachler noted that the proposed site design orients the restaurant towards the <br />other buildings within the Arden Plaza retail center. The main entrance is located at the <br />southwest corner of the building and features a prominent tower structure comprised primarily of <br />transparent glass. Sidewalks have been provided to create safe pedestrian connections with the <br />public sidewalk on Lexington Avenue as well as the internal sidewalks between the Walgreens <br />pharmacy and the retail center. <br />