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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 20, 2020 3 <br /> <br />Mr. Brewer said there are approximately 450 units of unmet demand for senior housing in Arden <br />Hills. The relationship with Bethel University is very important to the community. The tax <br />revenue generated will be about $400,000 per year, approximately $15,000,000 in labor costs will <br />be generated during construction and 80 FTEs on staff. <br /> <br />Mr. Ilazi noted they are committed to replacing the existing trail with a new one that will connect <br />Bethel University and the Crepeau Nature Preserve. A tree survey underway that will be <br />accompanied by a tree preservation plan. They will maintain as many trees as possible and replant <br />where necessary. They will limit the use of concrete and other surfaces as much as possible. <br /> <br />Mr. Ilazi said they are looking for flexibility on building height. They’d like to be at 55 feet, the <br />Anderson Center is 60 feet. They’d also like to request flexibility on PUD Density at 22.3 units <br />per acre, but if the memory care units are considered half units that will get them to the required <br />lot area. <br /> <br />Mr. Ilazi discussed the preliminary plat map, site plan, renderings, elevations maps, and floor <br />plans. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla added that a neighborhood meeting <br />was held on July 9, 2020. There were 10 residents in attendance. Questions raised were regarding <br />project financing, potential traffic study (they are in the middle of one now), tree preservation, <br />future trail connections, lighting and the construction process. <br /> <br /> Mayor Grant asked for comments and questions regarding building height. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked why they couldn’t make it the required 50 feet? <br /> <br />Mr. Ilazi responded that they try to maintain a comfortable floor to ceiling height, along with <br />being able to get the number of units they’d like to have on the site. <br /> <br />Mr. Novaczyk noted that hallways are a minimum of nine feet with larger windows, and a peaked <br />roof. <br /> <br />Mr. Ilazi said a peaked roof makes it feel less commercial and more like a residential setting. <br /> <br />Mr. Cozine added that in order to have the density they are looking for they need the building to <br />be four stories. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant said he was OK with the additional five feet. He liked the looks of a peaked roof <br />versus a flat roof that looks commercial. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes agreed, especially since the Anderson Center is 60 feet. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott didn’t have a problem with the height, he liked the attractiveness of a <br />peaked roof. <br />