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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 9, 2012 5 <br /> <br />Four options and proposed motion language were provided for recommend approval with <br />conditions, recommend approval as submitted, recommend denial or table the item. <br /> <br />Mr. Tom Trainor, VP Facilities and Planning, and Ms. Kathleen Nelson, VP <br />Administration appeared before the Commission. Mr. Trainor indicated Ms. Meagan <br />Beekman has been very helpful to them. The University has an emphasis on health and <br />wellness. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thompson asked where the current wellness center is and Mr. Trainor <br />stated it is located in the Robertson Center but it is not an ideal facility. The students use <br />Lifetime Fitness. There may be less traffic due to students not needing to leave campus <br />to work out. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa asked about the temporary classrooms being removed and asked <br />if Phase I would substitute for those temporary classrooms. Mr. Trainor stated they <br />would be. He stated when Phase II is completed there will be 8 additional classrooms. <br /> <br />Chair Larson asked Mr. Trainor to review the floorplan. He indicated the area of the <br />current weight areas. There currently are not ADA accessible locker rooms. He <br />indicated the weight area, cardio space, and treadmill equipment along with a group <br />exercise studio. Mr. Trainor stated the top floor will have four classrooms. The second <br />phase will add four more classrooms. Health services and counseling services will also <br />be part of the wellness center. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa stated a previous request came for using housing at the old <br />Holiday Inn site. Ms. Nelson stated she has had discussions with the owner but their <br />preference is to have all their students housed on the campus. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thompson asked how the resident’s concerns would be addressed. The <br />maintenance facility is north of their property. Mr. Trainor stated the construction should <br />be nowhere near the neighborhood. Commissioner Thompson suggested Mr. Trainor <br />open a dialog with the neighbors so if they have concerns they can be addressed. <br /> <br />Ms. Nelson stated last fall she met with the City Council on the master plan for the <br />campus. She offered to share the master plan with the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Chair Larson opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. <br /> <br />No one appeared to address the Commission. <br /> <br />Chair Larson closed the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holewa moved and Commissioner Hames seconded a motion to <br />approve Planning Case 12-006 for a Conditional Use Permit, Variance, and <br />extension of temporary classrooms at 3900 Bethel Drive based on the findings of fact <br />and the submitted plans as amended by the seven conditions in the May 9, 2012, <br />planning case report. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). <br />