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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 4, 2011 7 <br /> <br />4.A. Planning Case 11-007; PUD Concept Review Discussion; Select Senior Living; 1201 <br />County Road E. – Not a Public Hearing (continued) <br /> <br />Chair Larson asked how this use for the Holiday Inn site fit into the overall Guiding Plan <br />for the B2 District. <br /> <br />City Planner Beekman stated the City adopted the Guiding Plan for the B2 District in <br />October 2008. The Guiding Plan identifies the former Holiday INN parcel as a <br />redevelopment opportunity and envisions a greater intensity of use on the site, including <br />high density residential and retail. While not specifically stated in the Guiding Plan, it <br />has been envisioned that the existing building on the site would be demolished at some <br />point in order to make way for new development that aligned with the goals and <br />principles for the B2 District. Current market conditions, as well as the solid <br />construction of the existing building on the site, have made demolition of the building <br />economically infeasible from the standpoint of the private sector. There are many <br />aspects of the current site layout of the parcel that conflict with the goals and principles <br />of the Guiding Plan. The alignment of driveways and the location of the building make a <br />future stop light location on County Road E challenging. The Guiding Plan calls for a <br />greater intensity of use on the parcel, this is difficult to accomplish if the building <br />remains in its current location and configuration. There are components of the current <br />site layout, and opportunities for site improvements that are very much in line with the <br />vision in the Guiding Plan. Opportunities exist to improve the exterior of the building <br />and modernize the look of it as well as significantly improve the landscaping and green <br />space on the site. <br /> <br />Chair Larson asked what the plans were for the remaining portion of the property. <br /> <br />Mr. Davidson, TAT Properties, 2 acres will be retained by TAT Properties and will be <br />developed based on a buyer for the property. The traffic expected by the proposed <br />development is significantly less than what was expected by other development options <br />considered for this property. TAT Properties will have traffic studies prepared that <br />consider different types of businesses in this location so that consideration for the <br />stoplight can be made. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman stated he is in favor of this business plan and the proposed <br />streetscape would be an asset for this area. <br /> <br />B. Planning Case 11-009; Zoning Code Amendment Discussion; City of Arden Hills – <br />Not a Public Hearing <br /> <br />City Planner Beekman stated at the February 22, 2011, Joint Planning Commission and <br />City Council work session, one of the possible zoning code amendments discussed was a <br />change to allow detached garages in the front yards of riparian lots. Staff was given <br />direction to move forward with drafting possible language that would allow lakeshore lot <br />owners to construct detached garages in their front yards under certain circumstances. <br />She provided additional background information and stated Staff is requesting feedback <br />from the Planning Commission on this language, and whether any revisions or additional <br />standards are necessary.