CCP 05-30-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 3, 2000 4 Mr. Daniels stated the cooling units in question are located in large self-contained boxes with . inherent intake and exhaust systems, adding the boxes are approximately 7 feet tall and 16 feet long. He added an effort will be made to limit the amount of exterior duct work which will be necessary, and 28" high duct enclosures will be utilized. Mr. Daniels stated the school's temporary classrooms will be removed and replaced with new construction. He added that four classrooms will be added at the front of the school in an addition which will be constructed of materials to match the existing brick and aluminum framing. Mr. Daniels stated that the street elevation at the front ofthe school is lower than the school itself, so the rooftop cooling unit will not be visible from the street. He added the cooling system will be housed in a clean box with an exhaust hood on the side. He noted that screening the box would create more difficulties, adding they would prefer not to use screening. Chair Erickson asked whether the proposed duct work will run flat to the existing roof. Mr. Daniels stated the duct work will sit on framework supported by 12" curbs, and a 24" roofing membrane structure will surround the ducts. He added that anything higher than 24" would create snow drifting. Mr. Daniels stated there will be a limited amount of exposed duct work which will be painted a neutral, medium tan color to blend with the roof. He added that this exposed duct work will be . set back from the building edge at least 20 feet which will reduce its visibility. Chair Erickson asked how tall the parapets will be on the classroom addition. Douglas Pierce, another representative of Perkins & Will, stated the parapets will be minimal to avoid snowdrifts. He added that the new addition will come in under the school's existing canopy projection, which will restrict the height of the parapet. Chair Erickson stated the placement of the mechanical units is sufficient to limit their visibility from the main road. He added, however, the residents on Chatham Avenue look directly down on the school's roof. He asked whether parapets could be raised on the proposed addition to provide some screening from that neighborhood. Mr. Daniels stated the cooling units are very large, and screening would have to be larger. Mr. Pierce stated that a courtyard will be created in the center of the building, and roof height must be restricted to allow as much natural light as possible into the courtyard. Commissioner Galatowitsch stated the school's original construction is limiting and the building is extremely difficult to work with. She added that her home looks down on the entire roof of the school, and noted that the proposed cooling unit is not very attractive. She asked whether the unit is loud. Mr. Pierce stated the unit is very quiet as it mainly contains evaporative coolers, and silencing . units will be utilized since the school is located in a residential area. Commissioner Galatowitsch asked what the front entry area will look like. Mr. Daniels stated the front entry will be expanded to create a double wing constructed of masonry and a lot of glass to provide a larger arrival area for children.