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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 3, 2020 5 would subdivide the parcel into four lots. He commented further on the setbacks and buildable area for each lot. Commissioner Jones inquired what the maximum height was for a house. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported the maximum height for a home was 35 feet from grade. Commissioner Jones commented he was not a fan of this project noting he believed three should be the maximum number of homes allowed. He questioned why a pond was being built when there was an existing pond in place. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla explained the proposed pond was under review by the watershed district and would be used to preserve the quality of the existing pond. Commissioner Lambeth discussed the proposed lots and noted their sizes. He commented there should be no foreseeable FAR concerns with the lots and future homes. He explained the only issue left for the Commission to consider was lot width. He asked what objections would be legitimate for denying this project. Commissioner Subramanian requested further information regarding the trees that would be lost on the parcel. He questioned how many trees would be preserved. He inquired what the reasons were for requesting smaller lot sizes, other than economic reasons. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reviewed a diagram where trees would be planted onsite noting the property had 1920 caliper inches of significant trees. He explained only 14 of the 150 significant trees onsite would be removed. It was noted an additional 20 trees would be planted. He discussed how the site and trees would be impacted if the development was reduced to three lots. Chair Gehrig reported this request did not require a Tree Preservation Variance. Commissioner Subramanian stated other than economic consideration, was there any other reason for this Variance. Brendan O’Meara, representative for the applicant, thanked the Commission for their time. He discussed the tree preservation efforts and stated it would be impossible to understand how this property would be impacted if only three lots were pursued. He anticipated if only three lots were approved the homes would be much larger. He explained the variance request would allow this development to keep in character with the surrounding neighborhood. He reported if only three lots were pursued, these lots would be larger than any in the neighborhood and would have much bigger homes. He stated his purpose would be to construct four homes that more closely matched the neighborhood. Commissioner Vijums asked if there was any way to adjust the width of the maintenance easement.