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<br /> ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 29,2001 6 <br /> concerns is having homes turned into rental housing. He noted he did not think it was a good <br /> . thing for Bethel College even temporarily to build facilities off the campus. <br /> Mr. Kunkle stated the issue is one of incremental growth. He noted the Bethel College Master <br /> Plan has one residence hall yet to be built. He added this could happen within the next five <br /> years. He stated this was just an incremental step to the College. He noted they see it as a <br /> reasonable choice. He added it was difficult for the College to take that leap. He stated it was <br /> difficult to build a facility to add 130 students one year and another 130 students the next year. <br /> Councilmember Rem asked about the property in New Brighton. Mr. Kunkle responded the <br /> College has owned it since 1977. He stated he did not envision them selling it. <br /> Councilmember Larson asked if the College envisioned growing within the confines of its <br /> campus. Mr. Konkel responded the nature of higher education is changing dramatically. He <br /> stated one element of it is the impact of distance education. He noted Bethel College is now <br /> doing adult education and more distance education. He added they also have campuses in San <br /> Diego, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. <br /> Mayor Probst stated he needed a better understanding of how this structure fits with the <br /> topography and landscaping on the site. <br /> Councilmember Aplikowski stated this was not a Bethel College issue. She noted she would <br /> . hate to penalize the College for being successful. She added they should be proud to have the <br /> College in the City, She stated she is concerned with what happens after the Bethel College use <br /> ends, She congratulated them on their success. Mr. Kjersten responded the current zoning <br /> would involve more traffic. He stated lights are brighter in retail uses and have more of an <br /> opportunity for mischief than if it is a residential area. He noted this is a great place for an <br /> apartment building. He added Bethel College envisions this housing for upperclassman who <br /> have internships and are not always on campus. <br /> Councilmember Aplikowski stated the issue then becomes one of height and the loss of trees, <br /> Mr. Kjersten responded the trees are soft wood trees that would die in five years anyway. He <br /> stated they could put some more trees in along County Road E2. He noted he had to deliver the <br /> building by August of next year or there was no deal. <br /> Councilmember Aplikowski asked about the viability of the project without Bethel College, Mr. <br /> Kjersten responded Bethel College's involvement was the only thing that makes it financeable <br /> for an apartment. He stated without Bethel College, he would go back to a commercial proposaL <br /> He noted the market rate has been limited to ultra high-end townhouses. He added no one was <br /> going after the family housing market <br /> Councilmember Rem stated traffic was a major concern for her. She noted that without a <br /> discussion with the County, she did not feel ready to approve putting in an apartment building. <br /> Mr. Kjersten responded they were trying to minimize the traffic impact with this proposal. <br /> . Councilmember Grant stated if these were 30 units of market rate apartments, they would <br /> average four round trips a day. He noted that would involve 240 - 300 trips a day. He added it is <br />