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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MARCH 22, 2021 2 Mayor Grant asked if the development could be done by way of Conditional Use Permit. Planning Consultant Kansier responded that was possible and part of the direction the Council would need to give staff. She said it could be a Conditional Use Permit or possibly a Planned Unit Development, either way an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance is required. Grove Community Church Pastor Josh Krehbiel introduced property broker Cameron Peterson, consultant Tom Goodrum, building committee members Paul Spakousky and Spencer Hutton, board member Mark Herringshaw and architect Thomas Small. Grove Community Church Pastor Katie Krehbiel gave background information about herself and her family. She explained they met while attending Northwestern University and started the church in their home near Lake Johanna in 2013, they began meeting in the evening at a church in St. Anthony Village in 2015, and started searching for a building in 2018. When they move into their own church space they will change the name to Everyday Church. Pre-COVID they had about 700 adults and 150 children attend services. They have more than 125 zip codes represented which includes young professionals, young families and college students. Pastor Josh Krehbiel said they have a passion to empower everyday people, and they believe the key to healthy communities is healthy hearts, relationships and homes. Pastor Josh Krehbiel gave a summary of the project. They are proposing to use approximately 75,000 square feet that would include a 900-seat auditorium, 400 parking stalls, large format classrooms, 30,000 leasable square feet on the second floor, a daycare center, and counseling center. Pastor Josh Krehbiel addressed zoning of the property. He said the daycare, classrooms, counseling uses are permitted or conditional uses in the district. The I-Flex district is adjacent to the B3/B4 districts which allows houses of worship as a conditional use. Primary programming will occur during non-peak business hours so traffic impact will have less of a strain on traffic in the area than previous businesses in the location. He explained the first and second floor site plans and the benefits to the community, including improving a vacant property and the economic impact of having a church community. Councilmember Holden asked if the applicant was aware of International Paper working 24/7 with noise and semi-trucks. Pastor Josh Krehbiel responded that as they have walked the property it hasn’t been a concern. The daycare would be under 25 children and would be on the back (north) side of the building. He also said that even as they draw attention to young professionals, those attending their services come from all different demographics and socio-economic conditions. They would be asking for long term 5 year or more leases for the second floor. Councilmember Holden felt they should add a sidewalk along their property and asked if they were going to be changing the lighting on the property. Pastor Josh Krehbiel said they are talking about increasing lighting in the parking lot. There is room to add a sidewalk next to Red Fox Road.