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<br /> ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - JUNE I, 2005 13 <br /> once the TCAAP area was developed. He also expressed concern about his property <br />. value decreasing. He believed the development would look better and fit in better where <br /> the shopping center was located up on Highway 96. <br /> Jan Cather Weaver, 1435 Arden View Drive, stated she would also like a berm as <br /> previously suggested. She expressed concern regarding the landscaping on the front side <br /> of Highway 96. She asked how the buildings would be landscaped so they did not look <br /> like a shopping mall or rental units with all of the asphalt. She expressed concern about <br /> the wildlife and requested that the wildlife not be disrupted with this development. She <br /> asked who would manage any vacated unit. She believed there was a lack of interest in <br /> this type of a development in the City. She asked if the traffic study had taken into <br /> consideration the increase of traffic in the next five to ten years. She expressed concern <br /> that Arden View Court would be used as a "U" turn. She stated she bought her home <br /> because it was a quiet neighborhood and expressed concern about the human ecology of <br /> Arden View Drive and Arden Hills. <br /> Mike Black stated with respect to traffic, they had a report from a professional engineer <br /> trained in traffic and there was a very detailed report done for this area. He stated based <br /> on this zoning, land use and development, the traffic being generated from this project <br /> would not have a significant impact to the traffic. He indicated during high traffic times, <br /> people would seek the easiest way in and out so there might be an occasional "U" turn. <br /> He stated this was no different than anywhere somebody went. He suggested the City <br /> have their engineer review the report. He noted the study had also been reviewed by the <br />. Ramsey County Engineer, who had also agreed that this was an appropriate traffic <br /> generated use for this location. He understood the frustrations the residents had with the <br /> traffic, but those conditions were there today and providing a second way of ingress and <br /> egress was a must to make this development a viable project. He stated it was better to <br /> provide for disbursement of traffic rather than having one access point and he did not <br /> believe they could get the County's permission to cut an access into Highway 96. He <br /> noted willi the berm, they would need a minimum of 70 feet, which was not possible <br /> unless the residents wanted part of the berm on their property. He indicated they could <br /> look at a slight berm, but he was not sure it would work and there was a concern with <br /> proper drainage also. He suggested they walk along the buffer area and add more <br /> landscaping if needed. He stated landscaping was not an issue and if they wanted <br /> additional landscaping, they were willing to do that. He did not believe they would <br /> negatively impact propcrty values and in fact, believed thc property values would rise. <br /> He noted this was a high end, quality offiec development and the value of this <br /> dcveIopment would increasc the property valucs in the area. Hc stated they werc willing <br /> to discuss with staff with restricting retail and restaurants and it was their intention of <br /> having this strictly an office complex. With respect to tbe walkway along the westerly <br /> edge, they would look at that area and attempt to provide somc curves in that walkway <br /> with additional landscaping, noting they were limited in space. With respcct to the <br /> dumpster location, all of the dumpsters would be bricked and roofcd with a wood gated <br /> front. Thosc dumpsters would bc small accessory buildings that would be visually <br /> pleasing. He statcd if they could find another location, they would work with staff on <br />. that. With respect to quality of life, he belicved one rcason they were here tonight was <br /> becausc thcy rceognized the quality of life in this arca and they saw a strong market for <br /> this type of a development. Hc statcd they have had a tremendous amount of calls <br /> regarding this development and knew that this development was going to bc successful. <br /> He indicated with any development, the wildlife and neighborbood would be disturbed, <br />