04-06-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 8, 2021 5 Mr. Erdahl stated currently the area north of the bus garage was not being used for student parking. He discussed how the school issued parking permits and noted the entire north lot was not being used at this time. He indicated the 591 parking spaces was sufficient at this time. Chair Vijums commented he supported the loss of the parking spaces for safety reasons. He explained he appreciated the proposed changes and believed they would assist with improving both traffic and pedestrian safety. Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Elizabeth Garsky, 1795 Lake Valentine Road, reported she was the last house on Lake Valentine Road in Arden Hills. She noted she sees a lot of traffic passing her home and she was concerned about the safety of this traffic. She explained she sees danger with how many cars are backed up in this area in the morning and afternoon and then there are students crossing into the parking lot to get to their vehicles. She stated she was worried about the gas pump islands. She asked if the trees that were previously planted near the tennis courts would be eliminated. She recommended that everyone using the north lot be forced to turn right for safety reasons. Planning Consultant Kansier reported the gas pump islands would be removed and the area would be graded and the only thing that would remain on that site would be the building. Chris Paquetteicket, Director of Operations for Mounds View Schools, discussed the plans for the site noting the building would be reroofed and resided to make it aesthetically pleasing. He reported any ground contamination would be corrected prior to the parking lot being completed. Councilmember Holmes explained the City Council was concerned about the traffic coming to and from the school. She indicated the Council asked the Ramsey County Sheriff to observe this area for two weeks and made some findings. She reviewed these findings noting the traffic deputy believed the traffic flowed smoothly and safely. Rich Beardsley, 1771 Janet Court, stated he has lived in his home for over 25 years. He asked questions about student enrollment noting the enrollment at Mounds View has declined over the years. He reviewed numbers noting in 2005 the school had 1900 students and in 2013 the school had 1600 students. He questioned if the City took into consideration the declining enrollment when considering these projects. He noted he walked the parking lot and there were an average of 85 empty parking spaces in the morning. He asked if this kind of data was taken into consideration. Chair Vijums reported the City was being asked to alleviate a concern that was occurring right now in order to help traffic flow more smoothly. He noted the number of parking spaces being provided by the school was dictated by City Code. There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 7:53 p.m. Commissioner Zimmerman moved and Commissioner Weber seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 21-028 for an Amended PUD at 1900 and 1901