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SERVING • ARDEN HILLS • NORTH OAKS • SHOREVIEW • SINCE 1943 LAKE JOHANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT 5545 LEXINGTON AVENUE NORTH • SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 OFFICE (651) 415-2100 • FAX (651) 486-8826 May 30, 2024 Honorable members of the Arden Hills City Council and Planning Commission 1245 W Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 RE: Land use applications for the proposed Lake Johanna Fire Department Headquarters Station Honorable members, Please accept this letter from the Lake Johanna Fire Department Board of Directors requesting your support for the land use applications for the LJFD headquarters station project. The seven- member board of directors is comprised of members from the cities of Arden Hills, North Oaks, and Shoreview as well as three members of the LJFD fire department. The need for this station was determined through a long-range planning study in 2018 which found that the department is lacking sufficient training, administrative, and operating space, and that response times in southern Arden Hills and Shoreview are slower due to the current station 140 location on Victoria Street in Shoreview, directly north of a rail line, effectively cutting off response times. The proposed location for this new facility is ideal as it improves access for emergency vehicles and improves response times to the service area. This project is a high priority for each of the three cities as it provides necessary lifesaving resources to serve the community. The funding for this important project will primarily be through local tax dollars. The estimated cost is $23,000,000; an allocation from the State of Minnesota of $6,370,000 has been committed as they recognize the regional importance of this facility. Applications have been made for federal funding which will be determined sometime in 2024. The remaining costs will be paid for by the cities as allocated by the funding calculation. Due to the significant impact on tax payers, it is requested that the City of Arden Hills waive any possible fees, especially park dedication fees as this use will not add any burden to the Arden Hills parks and trails system. Any reduction in fees is a direct reduction to tax payers. It is the request of the LJFD Board of Directors that the Planning Commission and City Council consider this review necessary public infrastructure and that you provide your highest level of support for such an important and impactful public use.