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IA Larkin Hoffman May 23, 2024 8300 Norman Center Drive Suite 1000 Minneapolis, MN 55437-1060 General: 952-835-3800 Fax: 952-896-3333 www.larkinhoffman.com City of Arden Hills Via Email Attn: Jessica Jagoe, Community Development Director jjagoe@cityofardenhills.org 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 Re: School and House of Worship- 4293 and 4295 Lexington Avenue North Dear Ms. Jagoe: We represent a local school and worship center (the "School"). The School desires to develop a new pre-k through12 day school and house of worship at an existing industrial building located at 4293 and 4295 Lexington Avenue North (the "Property") in the City of Arden Hills ("City"). Reuse of the Property for the proposed use (the "Project") requires the following applications: • Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) to allow schools and worship centers in the 1-1 District • Conditional Use Permit for House of Worship • Conditional Use Permit School, general education • Site Plan Review (collectively, the "Application") Before investing further in detailed design and planning, the School desires to receive feedback from staff and the City Council through the Concept Plan review process. Our objectives are: 1) revitalize an existing industrial park, 2) utilize the existing space without altering the exterior of the buildings or impacting surrounding office uses, 3) implement a phased approach to School expansion, ensuring gradual integration into the community, and 4) foster community engagement and address concerns of Council members and residents through transparent communication and collaboration. The School hopes to gain a holistic assessment of whether the Project aligns with the Council's vision for the City. We believe that this is a creative project that will reinvigorate existing buildings and bring a new community partner and resource Arden Hills. 1. Project Summary The Projects seeks to repurpose an existing industrial building into a school and associated house of worship. School and religious uses are currently conditional uses within the City's residential districts. Uniquely for an industrial parcel within the City, the Property is bordered by residential uses to its west and Cummings Park to the north. While there are significant entitlement hurdles presented by the constructive reuse of the Property, we believe that this initiative directly aligns with Arden Hills' commitment to develop and maintain a land use pattern that strengthens the vitality, quality, and character of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial areas while protecting the community's natural resources.