08-07-24 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 7, 2024 5 Senior Planner Fransen reported this was the case, but noted the developer has not brought forward a PUD application. If the Applicant were to submit a proposal for a PUD, the proposed density would come before the Planning Commission for consideration. Chair Weber explained that the comprehensive plan section specifically referenced vacant residential properties. He believes amendment lumped in this property and that this was not the initial intent of the comprehensive plan amendment. He was of the opinion this amendment to the comprehensive plan should be rescinded. He asked if there had been conversations with the church to remove and replace the memorial on the property. Mr. Fink stated he has had conversations with the church regarding the memorial and no decisions have been made to date. He intended to continue to have conversations with the church leadership and the families to ensure the memorial was relocated to an appropriate location on site. Chair Weber inquired if a noise study had been completed for this project. Mr. Fink reported he had not completed a noise study to date, but if the preliminary plat was approved, a noise study would be completed for the traffic along Highway 10. Chair Weber opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Chair Weber invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Roger Fink, Trident Development, stated he has covered a lot of the basics for his application. He thanked staff for providing the Commission with a thorough report. He explained the basic request was for a replat of this property to allow a high density multi-family lot to be sold to Trident Development from North Heights Church. He reviewed the comments he had received from the public and noted the market was not oversaturated with senior housing in Arden Hills. In fact, he stated this area still needs an additional 150 senior housing units. He provided further comment on the traffic study that was completed, noting this project would not over burden the infrastructure that was in place. He discussed the access easement and joint maintenance agreement that would be in place between Trident Development and North Heights Church. He reported these agreements would be written into and recorded with the final plat. He commented on the tree preservation requirements the City had in place and noted Trident would be following the City’s tree removal and replacement requirements. He stated all Rice Creek Watershed District requirements would also be followed for this project to ensure there were no runoff impacts on neighboring properties. He explained a sound study would be completed in order to assist with understanding how the new building would impact the neighbors. There being no additional comment, Chair Weber closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. Commissioner Bjorklund stated when he walked the property, he found a lot of the trees onsite were old cottonwood and dying ash trees. He discussed how there was also a great deal of buckthorn on this property. Commissioner Wicklund thanked the applicant for all of his comments. He stated he would be supporting the request before the Commission.