03-26-18-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for March 26, 2018 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2018\PC 18-003 - Bethel University - CUP Amendment - Sciences Addition\Memos_Reports_18-003 Page 2 of 8 the north side of the Brushaber Commons building. The purpose of this addition is to support research on birds conducted by students and faculty. The aviary support facility is expected to be constructed in summer 2018. The second addition is a component of a larger renovation Bethel University is evaluating for the Academic Commons building. The proposed plan would include 45,000 gross square feet of renovations within the existing Academic Commons building and a new 20,000 gross square foot addition on the northwest corner of the building. The addition would match the height of the existing three-story Academic Commons building. The proposed renovations and addition are needed to support science programs on the campus. The design for the sciences renovations and addition is still in the early schematic phase. Bethel University anticipates the project will be built in four phases. The first three phases would include interior renovations to the existing building and would take place between 2019 and 2021. The current schedule is to construct the proposed addition in the summer of 2022. Bethel University has requested a CUP Amendment at this time to update their Campus Master Plan to include the 20,000 gross square foot addition to the Academic Commons building. The university would be required to submit a Site Plan Review application for the addition before construction. Based on the tentative schedule, the Site Plan Review application would likely be submitted in 2021 in anticipation of construction in 2022. A Site Plan Review application requires review by the Planning Commission and approval by the City Council. A Variance is being requested to allow the Academic Commons addition to encroach into the required setback from Valentine Lake. The required structure setback from the ordinary high water level is 150 feet. The proposed addition would be setback 118 feet from the lakeshore for an encroachment of 32 feet. Bethel University operates under a CUP Master Plan. As the university comes forward with plans, they are reviewed against the Master Plan for consistency. Building plans that are consistent with the Master Plan require a Site Plan Review. A CUP Amendment is required when plans are not included in the approved Master Plan. The two proposed additions are not included on the Master Plan and a CUP Amendment is therefore required. Phasing Bethel University is proposing to complete the project over several phases: • Phase I – Summer 2018: Construct 80 square foot addition to the Brushaber Commons building for proposed aviary facility • Phase II – Summer 2019: Renovation of Academic Commons building second level for Physics/Engineering. • Phase III – Summer 2020: Renovation of Academic Commons building third level for Chemistry