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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MARCH 20, 2017 3 <br /> <br /> <br />Mayor Grant reiterated the number of senior living units coming into the area and stated that <br />Lyngblomsten’s risk is not the Council’s concern. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung also expressed concern about the height of the current proposed <br />structure. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott is also concerned about the traffic patterns, and pedestrian traffic going to <br />and from the park. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant agreed that traffic, changing zoning, and building height are all concerns. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes said she didn’t have a problem with the zoning, but felt it may be too <br />isolated from the rest of the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung inquired if they had considered placing the building on the <br />northwestern section of the property. <br /> <br />Mr. Moore responded that they had considered it, but that placing it there would fill up most of <br />the area and would require alteration to the existing parking lot. <br /> <br />Councilmember Mcclung stated that he cannot support the current proposal. He has traffic <br />concerns, zoning concerns and massing/height concerns. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden felt the use of land that is currently idle is good and as well as the <br />connection to the TCAAP area and parks. She said she would support rezoning in this situation. <br /> <br /> <br />B. HIGHER EDUCATION MORATORIUM STUDY <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber stated that they would be discussing the conversations that took <br />place with the two Universities (Bethel and Northwestern) concerning existing campus master <br />plans and how they come into play with acquiring sites off campus. They would also start the <br />process of looking at commercial and industrial zones to see if they are meeting the needs of the <br />community. Both colleges are hoping to increase enrollment and continue to look for off-site <br />facilites. Both schools can save approximately 50% of costs by renovating an existing building <br />versus building new. <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber also explained that the University of Minnesota has abandoned the <br />3-2 program. Those students would spend the first 3 years at Bethel or Northwestern, then <br />transfer to the U of M for 2 years and once completed they would have both a Bachelor of Science <br />and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Because that program no longer exists and in an effort to keep <br />those existing students, both colleges are looking for lab and classroom space necessary for S.T.E <br />M. students. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked if staff had looked at the parameters within the Conditional Use Permit under <br />which Bethel operates and if the student levels they are trying to reach are within those limits. <br />