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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 7, 2018 4 City Planner Bachler reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this matter: 1. Recommend Approval with Conditions 2. Recommend Approval as Submitted. 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Gehrig questioned what the primary purpose was for the 150-foot setback. City Planner Bachler explained Valentine Lake was a Natural Environmental lake and the Minnesota Department of Resources (DNR) establishes the required setbacks for lakes. He reported Natural Environmental lakes have the strictest requirements to minimize the visual impact of buildings and to reduce the density around the lake. Commissioner Lambeth asked how the ordinary high-water level was established on this lake. City Planner Bachler discussed how the ordinary high-water level was established by the DNR. Chair Thompson noted General Development lakes had a 50-foot setback whereas Natural Environmental lakes had a 150-foot setback. Chair Thompson opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Chair Thompson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Dennis Foster, 1415 Arden Oaks Drive, explained he lived across the football field from Bethel. He stated he believed Bethel was a good neighbor for the most part. He indicated he was concerned with the variance request. He discussed the water quality issues being addressed by the State of Minnesota. He commented water quality was a concern to him and he recommended Bethel not be allowed to encroach closer than 150 feet to Valentine Lake. He stated there was no hardship with the request and for this reason recommended the variance be denied. Brian Lapham, BWBR Architects and representative for Bethel University, introduced himself to the Commission. Commissioner Gehrig asked if the proposed addition could be completed without encroaching in the 150-foot setback to Lake Valentine. Mr. Lapham commented a number of locations were discussed for the new Science addition. He stated in the end the best fit was within the Academic Commons renovation. He explained more space was needed which required an addition. Commissioner Gehrig questioned if the building had to angle out into the setback.