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<br />ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - AUGUST 4, 1999
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<br />would have to be eliminated, considering the size of the lot. He also stated that he would prefer
<br />that a sidewalk be construeted, e
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<br />Other concerns expressed by Mr, Ristow were for the noise that will be generated by snowplows
<br />at night, whieh will likely disturb his baby's sleep, Additionally, the eonstruction of the new
<br />office building will generate more traffic in an area where many children reside. Mr, Ristow
<br />stated that he did approve of the "Welcome to Arden Hills" entranee sign, One other concern
<br />was for the parking spaees, which would angle the headlights into his windows and baekyard.
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<br />Mr, Ristow stated that he had been very ehoosy when deciding where to buy a home. He and his
<br />wife chose Arden Hills for the school district and the family oriented eommunity, When he
<br />purehased his home, he had spoken to neighbors who had informed him that the lot had been
<br />vacant for 15 years, This had led him to believe that the stand of trees would remain as is.
<br />Additionally, he had spoken to the owner of the property and was informed at that time that there
<br />had been no plans to sell or develop the lot due to the 100- foot buffer requirement.
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<br />Mr, Nelson stated that the aecess ramp was not intended to be used in the wintertime and will not
<br />be plowed more than once or twice, when neeessary. He indicated that, if the building was
<br />reoriented to the south as he had suggested, this would move all the parking to the west of the lot
<br />and eliminate Mr, Ristow's eoneern for headlights shining on his property, Additionally, the
<br />lighting intended to be used would be low impact lighting.
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<br />Mr, Nelson stated that if the ramp was approved for eonstruction, there would be a 12-foot
<br />retaining wall and there would not be mueh traffie using the ramp other than a panel truck .
<br />dropping off doeuments and picking up documents for destruetion, He stated that the intent was
<br />to save as many trees as possible; however, some trees will have to be removed due to the close
<br />proximity to the proposed building, He stated that he intends to be a good neighbor and plans to
<br />include a good deal of landscaping in the plan,
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<br />Commissioner Galatowitsch asked how mueh flexibility there would be to reduee the amount of
<br />square footage of the building, Mr, Nelson stated that, in order to be eost effeetive, the total of
<br />7,000 square feet would be the minimum size, Commissioner Galatowitsch asked if other
<br />tenants have been seleeted for the offiee building, Mr. Nelson stated that two other attorneys
<br />would be moving into the offiee, There had been others who had expressed interest in the office
<br />building in November 1997; however, due to delays in purchasing the property, these others had
<br />baeked out.
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<br />Commissioner Duehenes asked ifthe access ramp could be narrowed to eliminate automobile
<br />traffie, She assumed that the documents being stored in the lower level eould be delivered on a
<br />handcart, Mr, Nelson stated that the ramp area would not be used to park vehicles, however, a
<br />vehicle or a boat may be stored in this area,
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<br />Mr, Elwood Caldwell, 1451 Arden View Drive, representing Arden Hills Notes, asked, that if the
<br />concept planned unit development was approved as reeommended by staff, would the proposal
<br />meet the Neighborhood Business Zoning Distriet requirements and, if not, in what ways would it
<br />not meet the requirements. Ms. Randall stated that, with the modifieations recommended by
<br />staff, the proposal would meet the intent ofthe proposed Neighborhood Business District.
<br />With regard to the eottonwood tree, which Mr, Nelson had indieated would be removed, Mr,
<br />Ristow stated that this was a niee shade tree and he would prefer for it to remain, He also
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