CC 03-26-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCH 26,2001 5 Mr. Steve Doughty, Pope & Associates, the architect, stated there was a lot of discussion at the Planning Commission on the height of the building. He stated they could use the grade change to their advantage to have parking at a lower grade. He noted that was part ofthe unsurety. He added they are trying to get some frame around the building to understand the broad scope. He stated the maximum height would probably be 100 feet. He noted ifthere needed to be some clarification, they we could look at that the 85-foot to 140 foot range. There is the chance a user could come in and need a variation. He stated they are trying to get a broad definition, but do not want to allow an elephant onto the site. Mr. Shardlow stated the Council would be surprised how high 100 feet is. He noted this is the site in the gateway area where a signature building should be. He added it is consistent with the New Brighton side. He stated ifthey are going to get a corporate headquarters that is the site they want it to be on. Mr. Carlson stated they worked backwards. He noted they looked at the given constraints if they did have a corporate user. He added they also considered what would be a typical floor plate for such a user and what the site would accommodate. He stated that is how they came up with the approximate eight stories. He noted how the ultimate shape comes out depends on the user. He added some users want larger floor plates, but may have less height. Mayor Probst asked about the Veritas building in Roseville. Mr. Doughty responded it is a five- story building. He stated the Norman Points building is a seven-story building. He noted some design measures were done too. Mr. Shardlow stated the Roseville development on Snelling Avenue is eight stories. He stated they would not intend that the whole footprint would be raised up eight stories. Mr. Carlson stated they have tried to address the outside limitations so there are no unexpected results. Mayor Probst stated he could see the logic in trying to have the signature building. He noted New Brighton is trying to accomplish the same thing across the freeway. He added they should try to set these standards up to accomplish it in the same way. He stated the Medtronic facility is the kind of thing every community wants. He added he is comfortable with where they want to go, but is concerned ifthey do not find that user. Mr. Carlson stated they are trying to provide that by pushing the office requirement office. He noted the topside of the development and the bottom side has been addressed. He added they are looking for the highest and best quality for that property. Councilmember Larson stated the bottom line is having a first class user on this site. He noted he is comfortable with the height. He added he has other concerns and asked what constitutes a permitted accessory use. Ms. Chaput responded an accessory use is defined as a secondary use to the primary use of the property. She stated they evaluated the uses allowed in the Gateway Business District. She noted the Planning Commission had added that it could only be class one use.