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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 6, 2017 6 <br /> <br />Jay Bhakta, Hawkeye Hotels, noted the wall signs on the building would be illuminated. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman asked if the developers had completed an occupancy study before <br />proposing this hotel. <br /> <br />Mr. Bhakta reported Arden Hills only has one other hotel and explained there was currently a <br />lack of hotel rooms. He stated he had reviewed the occupancy rates in Shoreview and Roseville, <br />which showed support for a new hotel product in the market. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson questioned how the developers would handle overflow parking. <br /> <br />Mr. Bhakta stated he did not anticipate the site would have overflow parking needs. However, <br />in the rare cases that this did occur, hotel staff would have to plan ahead in order to offer valet <br />parking services. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones asked if the hotel would have a bar or restaurant. <br /> <br />Mr. Bhakta explained the site would not have a bar or restaurant, but would be offering a <br />complimentary breakfast to its occupants. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman inquired how building security would be addressed. <br /> <br />Mr. Bhakta reported all rooms would have card-key access. In addition, the building would <br />have security cameras and be staffed at all times. <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 />There being no additional comment Chair Thompson closed the public hearing at 7:24 p.m. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gehrig understood a variety of tree sizes were required based on the proposed <br />building height. He reviewed the proposed landscaping plan and recommended this plan meet <br />the City’s landscaping tree ratio requirements. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler commented the applicant was not currently meeting the City’s <br />requirements. He explained a condition of approval requiring the applicant to meet the City’s <br />tree ratio requirement could be recommended by the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson understood this was a difficult lot and believed the proposed development <br />would add a great deal of class to this area of the City. She stated she would like to see the <br />percentage of EIFS reduced. She indicated she could support some level of flexibility regarding <br />the trees. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth suggested one additional parking lot island be added to the plan to <br />eliminate the need for this exception.