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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 9, 2016 4 Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Bartel seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 16-023 for a Minor Subdivision for a lot split on the property located at 1401 County Road E based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the two (2) conditions in the November 9, 2016, report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). B. Planning Case 16-028; University of Northwestern-St. Paul – Zoning Code Amendment and Conditional Use Permit – 1265 Grey Fox Road – Public Hearing Mr. Zweber stated the property at 1265 Grey Fox Road is 14.3 acres in size and includes two existing buildings with a gross floor area of approximately 165,000 square feet. Existing site improvements include 570 surface parking stalls, landscaping, and stormwater management facilities. The medical manufacturing company Smiths Medical previously occupied the property until they vacated the space in 2015. Mr. Zweber explained the University of Northwestern-St. Paul has plans to grow its engineering, biology, and nursing academic programs and has identified the property as a location for this expansion because of the existing building space. The University has a purchase agreement in place with the property owner. Mr. Zweber reported the University proposes to develop the property over two phases: • Phase I would be completed in time for the 2017-2018 academic year. Existing facilities would be renovated to support the Masters-level nursing and biology programs, and the undergraduate engineering program. The University expects to have 389 students and 43 faculty and staff members in the first year. The concept plan shows that classroom and office space would occupy approximately 63,300 square feet. Renovations would also be completed to add a theater, cafeteria, and chapel. Excess building space would be leased to other users during Phase I. • Phase II would introduce additional undergraduate programs in mathematics and chemistry, as well as graduate programs in biology and data analytics. Health services would occupy approximately 46,000 square feet, biology and chemistry 72,000 square feet, and engineering 30,000 square feet. A total of approximately 646 students would attend classes and 66 faculty and staff members would be located on the property. The University has not proposed any exterior changes to the existing buildings or the site to accommodate Phase I or Phase II. Mr. Zweber indicated the University anticipates the facility will be open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Peak traffic times would coincide with class schedules, which typically are more frequent during mid-morning and mid-afternoon hours. The University would operate a shuttle service for students and faculty between their main campus at 3003 Snelling Avenue and 1265 Grey Fox Road. Mr. Zweber stated the City approved a Campus Master Plan for the University of Northwestern in 2007. The plan was designed to support a student population of 2,400 on the campus, and included an additional 433,506 square feet of building space to be built over 12 to 20 years. To date, approximately 70,000 square feet of new construction has been completed on the Arden Hills portion of the campus. Based on the approved Master Plan and the work completed to date, there is additional capacity on the main campus that could be used in place of the expansion planned for 1265 Grey Fox Road.