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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Approved: <br /> <br />CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016 <br />6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL <br /> <br /> <br />PLANNING CASES <br /> <br />C. Planning Case 16-003; Master and Final PUD – 1160 County Road E West – Public <br />Hearing <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated that the property at 1160 County Road E was first developed as a <br />seasonal ski and golf shop in the early 1970s. A Site Plan Review was approved in 1992 for the <br />Commers Company for building and site modifications to accommodate a new bank user. These <br />plans included the removal of a portion of the west side of the building to put in five drive-up <br />lanes under the existing building roof. Today, the 4,500 square foot space that was occupied by <br />TCF Bank is vacant and the roof over the drive-up lanes has been removed. American Red Cross <br />is the only tenant in the building and occupies approximately 5,000 square feet of space. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler commented that the proposed site modifications are part of a broader <br />reinvestment in the property being undertaken by Arden Square in an effort to attract a new <br />tenant to the building. In conjunction with the County Road E improvement project completed in <br />2015, the property owner agreed to close off two driveways that were replaced with one, 24-foot <br />wide driveway. Arden Square also recently completed renovations to the front façade of the <br />building. These improvements included the removal the mansard and gable roof on the west side <br />of the building, increasing window and brick masonry coverage, and adding awnings and <br />decorative lighting. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler explained that the proposed site improvements would modify the <br />property’s drive lanes and parking stalls for a more efficient use of space. The existing parking <br />area on the north side of the building would be rearranged to include two one-way drive aisles <br />and angled parking stalls. One drive-up lane on the west side of the building would be retained <br />while the remaining lanes would be removed and replaced with parking stalls. As a result of the <br />project, the overall parking lot area would expand by 2,182 square feet and 21 additional parking <br />stalls would be constructed. Other site modifications would include a new monument sign, a <br />trash enclosure constructed with decorative rock face concrete block, bicycle racks, and updated <br />pavement and sidewalk surfaces. Landscaping on the property would be enhanced as well with <br />additional tree and perennial plantings at the County Road E entrance driveway and new parking <br />lot landscape islands. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler indicated that the project includes an upgrade to the property’s <br />stormwater management system. The Rice Creek Watershed District requires properties to