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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 8, 2020 4 <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth discussed how a place of worship is defined within City Code and <br />understood this could include a childcare facility. He inquired if the applicant already had a <br />license from DHS for the facility. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Hartmann deferred this question to the applicant. <br /> <br />John Oldfield, representative from North Heights Lutheran Church, explained he has a DHS <br />application in for licensing with Ramsey County. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth questioned how security would be managed at the pickup/drop-off <br />area. <br /> <br />Mr. Oldfield reported the area had been restriped and stop signs had been installed on either side <br />of the crosswalk to improve safety. He commented he did not anticipate there would be a <br />security issue with the children coming into the building. <br /> <br />Commissioner Subramanian applauded the church for proposing the childcare and preschool <br />facility in Arden Hills. He asked if an additional traffic study should be completed prior to the <br />school starting. He inquired if it was wise to have 100 children in this facility given the concerns <br />with COVID-19. <br /> <br />Mr. Oldfield stated North Heights had a COVID-19 plan for the entire facility. He discussed the <br />area the students would be in and noted it was quite large. He reported the students would be <br />able to social distance per the governor’s executive orders. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Hartmann explained the applicant had spoken to Public Works Director/City <br />Engineer Todd Blomstrom and he determined a traffic study was not necessary for this proposal. <br /> <br />Commissioner Vijums commented he supported the proposed plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund asked what type of construction would occur to get traffic turning left <br />onto Snelling Avenue. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Hartmann reported the proposal would be to extend the curb on the right <br />hand side by 20 feet. <br /> <br />Chair Gehrig opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Gehrig invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. <br /> <br />There being no comment Chair Gehrig closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund stated he supported this Planning Case moving forward without <br />Condition 6. He believed Condition 6 was an unnecessary expense that should not be taken on by <br />the applicant. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla commented staff was requesting a <br />minor modification to the curb line to further minimize the turns.