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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 9, 2021 14 <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Bemis stated the proposed development site is approximately 0.64 acres in <br />size and is currently vacant. The property owner is Arden Plaza, LLC, managed by Wellington <br />Management. The Applicant is proposing to construct a new corporate headquarters for Financial <br />Wealth Advisors at Arden Plaza. The Applicant is proposing to utilize the existing access road <br />off of County Road E. An access point to the parking lot will be located on the South side of the <br />property. At their May 17, 2021 meeting the City Council reviewed a concept plan for this <br />development. A Master Plan PUD for Arden Plaza was approved in 2009. The original plan <br />included 4 new buildings. Subsequent amendments reduced the number of new buildings to 3: <br />Walgreens, the Tavern Grill, and a future building on Lot 2. In 2016, the City Council approved <br />an amendment to the PUD to allow a neighborhood medical clinic on Lot 2, but the clinic chose <br />not to build on the site. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Bemis reviewed the surrounding area, site data, the Plan Evaluation and <br />provided the Findings of Fact for review: <br /> <br />1. The property located at 1150 Country Road E is zoned B-2 – General Business District <br />and is located within the Master Plan PUD for Arden Plaza. <br />2. The property located at 1150 Country Road E is guided as Community Mixed Use in the <br />Arden Hills 2040 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Chapter. <br />3. The applicant has requested a Master PUD to construct a single-story 5,600 square foot <br />financial service office on the existing vacant lot. <br />4. The B-2 District permits financial institutions & services as well as offices. <br />5. The PUD substantially conforms with the requirements of the City Code. <br />6. Where the plan is not in conformance with the City Code, flexibility has been requested <br />by the applicant and/or conditions have been placed on an approval that would mitigate <br />the nonconformity. <br />7. Flexibility through the PUD process has been requested in the following areas: parking <br />requirements, front setback line, building elevations, and planting islands. <br />8. The proposed development plan meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the City <br />Code in the following areas: district provisions, minimum caliper inches, drainage, <br />lighting, screening, trash pickup, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and signage. <br />9. All new developments or redevelopments in the B-2 district require a planned unit <br />development. <br />10. The adjacent properties on all sides are zoned B-2 and are guided as Community Mixed <br />Use in the Arden Hills 2040 Comprehensive Plan. <br />11. The application is not anticipated to create a negative impact on the immediate area or the <br />community as a whole. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Bemis recommended approval of Planning Case 21-014 for a Master <br />Planned Unit Development at 1150 County Road E, based on the findings of fact based on the <br />findings of fact and submitted plans, subject to the following conditions: <br /> <br />1. All conditions of the original Planned Unit Development shall remain in full force and <br />effect. <br />2. The project shall be completed in accordance with the plans submitted as amended by the <br />conditions of approval. Any significant changes to the plans, as determined by the City <br />Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and City <br />Council.