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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 7, 2016 5 <br /> <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber reported the language could change once every 15 minutes. He <br />explained that all electronic signs would have to follow the City’s current sign code. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bartel discussed the survey results and believed the main issue brought up by <br />residents was building height. He understood that some residents supported taller buildings <br />while others did not. He requested further information from staff on why the building heights <br />within the Town Center hand changed. <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber deferred this question to the developer. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gehrig questioned if staff had any idea how much it would cost the City to <br />provide core services to the TCAAP development based on the new plan. <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber stated there would only be a slight increase in density from the <br />City’s 2015 plan. <br /> <br />Bob Lux, Alatus, introduced himself to the Commission and explained that as the plans for this <br />development evolved, he saw the need to be able to offer a variety of housing types. One of <br />these housing types that was of interest was a condominium product constructed of concrete. <br />This led him to request a 10-story building height. He believed the proposed building height <br />standards would also allow the hotel owner greater flexibility. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman asked if the developer had reviewed the topography of the Town <br />Center properties from within and outside the development. He inquired if the developer had any <br />idea how a 10-story building would look from surrounding properties. <br /> <br />Mr. Lux explained a study had been completed that focused mainly on the views from offsite. <br />He commented there would be little or no view of a 10-story building from offsite given the <br />grade changes from County Road 96. He stated there would be a view of a 10-story building <br />from Highway 10. However, he believed this would be a good way of drawing people into Town <br />Center. He reported his development team fully supported the proposed building height. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson requested further information on why the developer was proposing to build the <br />condominiums out of concrete. <br /> <br />Mr. Lux reported the cost of concrete construction was 30-40% more than a stick built structure. <br />He stated concrete construction allowed for units to be extremely high quality and sound proof. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make <br />comment. <br /> <br />Dorothy McClung, 4370 North Snelling Avenue, stated she has been involved in TCAAP <br />discussions since the mid 1980’s. She discussed the numerous commissions she has served on <br />over the years. She believed the plan before the Commission was both unique and reasonable.