CC 09-30-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 30. 1996 25 it Councilmember Malone noted that Oakdale Development Corporation has been very responsive to the concerns expressed by the Planning Commission and he is pleased with the responses I received back from the applicant. He stated the office percentage concerns him as well as the possibility of losing control. I Dick Zehring, representing Oakdale Development Corporation, stated they propose to put $7 million into this proposed building in the Gateway Business Park and this is the first step to realize the long-term dream of Arden Hills for the Gateway Business Park. He explained that I tenants do not always match building build-out year to year. Currently they have one tentative tenant, an office/warehouse project that is a permitted use under the Zoning Code. Mr. Zehring advised they experience a range from 5% to 8% office build-out to a 60% office build-out and I belicves the allowable uses under the Zoning Code are appropriate. He explained they could very easily start out with the first run of leases and have a 20% or 28% office build-out or just as easily have a change in tenants that change the percentage. I Mr. Zehring explained the concern of institutional financiers is that the City will not issue Occupancy Permits if the build-out falls below the indicated percentage. It was noted that from a I planning standpoint, this is the most northerly parcel in the Gateway Business District and the prime development parcel is located southerly, closer to the intersection, so it should be the highest and best use, maybe a ] 00% office use such as a corporate headquarters. He suggesting Ie the percentage of the office use, park-wide, will end up at 25% to 50% but the most northerly parcel will greatly differ from the southerly parcel. I Mr. Zehring advised they have added $100,000 to the building based on Planning Commission requests and need to order steel and precast in November to meet the schedule. He stated they I desperately need relief from the office percentage. He explained they discussed a range of 18% to 20% with the Planning Commission but subsequently determined none of the institutional lenders can live with that range so they are now requesting 8% as the bottom percentage with the I understanding the building design, configuration, and uses will be in strict accordancc with the ordinance. I Mayor Probst stated he is not concerned about where the office percentage is placed on the first building and believes the "key" is to set the stage for things to come. Mayor Probst stated while this is a nice project and an improvement, it is not his vision of the entire property. He stated one I area of concern is positioning the overhead doors to face south. I Lynn Sloat, Genesis Architecture, explained how they intend to create a large bermed area plus screening the docks from 14th Street, ponding and wetland area. He displayed colored renditions of proposed landscaping to create a "living fence" and screen sight lines. I Councilmember Aplikowski stated she would rather see a 10% office use but has no problem with going to 8% due to the integrity of the proposed building. ,. Mr. Sloat displaycd a colored rendition of the building elevations, focal entrance point, canopy with address numbers, colored panel sections, and beige brick base accents. I