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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 9, 2018 10 and Primrose would only be completing minor modifications to the building’s exterior, such as installing new doors. City Planner Bachler commented in terms of the exterior of the site, the most significant change would be the replacement of the parking stalls and drive lanes on the west and south side of the building with an approximately 13,500 square foot playground area. The proposed playground would include a variety of different types of equipment for different age groups, including play structures, swing sets, and a basketball hoop. City Planner Bachler stated the parking area on the north side of the building would be modified to include two one-way drive lanes with diagonal parking stalls. Two new parking lot islands would also be added to help better define the central row of parking. Six new parking stalls would be constructed on the eastern side of the site directly south of the Lexington Avenue driveway. City Planner Bachler explained the site currently has access driveways on County Road F and Lexington Avenue and no modifications are proposed to these driveways at this time. The County Road F driveway has full access and the entrance on Lexington Avenue only allows right turns in and out of the site. Both roadways are owned and managed by Ramsey County. Ramsey County has recommended that the Lexington Avenue driveway be removed due to proximity to the County Road F intersection. City Planner Bachler indicated an expanded sidewalk is proposed to provide safe pedestrian access to the center from the parking lot. Additionally, a new sidewalk would be constructed to connect the site to the existing sidewalk along Lexington Avenue. Other site modifications would include the replacement of the existing nonconforming pole sign at the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road F with a new monument sign in the same general location. A new trash enclosure with brick veneer and a metal gate is also proposed adjacent to the existing building within the northern parking area. City Planner Bachler stated new tree plantings would be added within the parking area on the north side of the building and along Lexington Avenue. A portion of the parking area on the south side of the building would also be converted to turf grass and include tree plantings. Outside of the existing developed area, the majority of the property is forested with extensive tree coverage. The proposal would not impact this area except for the removal of five trees at the southeast corner of the development area. Site Data Land Use Plan: Light Industrial and Office Existing Land Use: Retail and Other Commercial Zoning: I-1 Limited Industrial District Current Lot Sizes: 4.86 Acres Topography: The developed portion of the site contains the current bank building and parking lot. The three undeveloped acres are forested and partially covered by wetlands. City Planner Bachler reviewed the surrounding area, the Plan Evaluation and offered the followings the Findings of Fact for review: