CC 10-15-1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting, October 15 Page three M. Eibensteiner said he feels the rezoning to R-4 is appropriate based on the changing characteristics of the area; feels the Church development is compatible to R-4 zoning; Highway 96 is more appropriate for R-4 or B-2, than a single-family housing project; Church property does have a B-2 development proposed; feels R-4 is a desirable transition between B-2 and R-t. Eibensteiner said the site would accept 16t units at R-3 which would be marginal for a quality development on this irregular site; noted that the apartment will provide alternate housing in Arden Hills. In discussion, Herman was asked to describe the hardships of the site, Herman said there is a diagonal cut from the northeast corner and a rectangular cut from the northwest corner, a substantial swamp low-land (where they propose a fountain in a pond) and limited site access. Site is adjacent to a large Church complex and bordered on the north by Highway . 96, The size of the pond was estimated at about the same size as the building footprint which is 19,130 square feet; building is 260' in length (both segments). Eibensteiner was asked if a project at 20 units, if zoned R-3, would be feasible, Answer was they need 48 units to make it feasible; would nO longer have an interest in the property; said the price is prohibitive to develop for R-l or R-3. R-3 is too low in density; stated they feel they can make the proposed development blend with R-1 to the east and the Church complex. Hicks said he feels R-4 density is too drastic across a rather narrow street from R-1. Woodburn said it appears the price of the land is too high for the appropriate zoning, which does not make R-4 realistic or appropriate; feels the economics at R-4 may be caused by paying too much for the land; feels the R-4 density increases the already dense Church complex, especially traffic; noted that the Comprehensive Plan describes Arden Hills as a "City of Homes". Robert Eibensteiner said they are interested in a quality project on this corner site; said R-3 would result in greater lot coverage with garages, driveways, streetsi cannot make R-3 look as deluxe as the project they.are proposing at R-4; explained that Mindlin, another Arden Hills' resident, will be 1/3 owner (with Marcel and Robert Eibensteiner) and will be resident manager of the property, Eibensteiner said the project is patterned after the Birch Pond apartment in New Brighton, a quality building, and feels it will rent at $700 to $800 per- month. Eibensteiner said people coming to town want to rent an apartment like this, rather than the typical apart- ment n some buy a house to get quality but "take a bath" during a down market when transferred out of town; noted that Arden Hills has many potential high-paid executives, and a need for this type of housing; today there are many corporate transfers needing this type of housing; doesn't feel R-3 would improve Arden Hills' image, Eibensteiner said, if he lived across Snelling from this site, he'd prefer a high quality R-4 than R-3 with the scattered appearance of townhouses, garages and driveways; feels R-4 can't be as detrimental as R-3 could be; said R-3 at 20 units is not feasible for a full-time manager/owner - would only support a part-time manager; noted this is a long-term investment for all three of the owners (Steve Mindlin, Robert and Marcel Eibensteiner); stated he feels this .. is an appropriate location for a sound endeavor - the market is there. Hansen expressed concerns about density of the site and traffic on Snelling at Highway 96; also asked about the number of apartment units now ava;lsQle . in surrounding villages. Answer was there is not much to compare this project with in this area -- there are some quality condominium units, but many people prefer to rent rather than pay $125,000 for a condominium. Hicks moved that Council deny the rezoning from R-1 to R-4 on the basis that R-4 is not compatible with the Comprehensive Development Plan, and an abrupt density change from the existing area density of R-l. Motion was seconded by Hansen and carried (Hicks, Hansen, Woodburn voting in favor of the motion; Sather, Peck voting in opposition) 3-2.