CCP 01-14-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETJNG MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 2001 4 . Councilmember Rem stated she was leaning towards a use to minimize the impact the project had on the site, She noted she was not comfortable with putting in the additional parking, She added it would result in a dormitory situation, She stated she was not convinced the city needed to change the zoning on the site. She noted the Council pursued Neighborhood Business as the zoning in order to have a use that fit in more with the neighborhood's pedestrian character. She added she would not be interested in pursuing this case unless there was compelling evidence presented. Councilmember Larson stated he was also opposed to development for two reasons, He noted he did not feel the applicant made a convincing case that the proposed zoning is superior to the current zoning, He added this did not meet the fundamental standard, He stated the city has a master plan for Bethel College, He noted this was the first time the city saw movement from the college off its campus. He added before this should happen, the Council needed to give a great deal of thought on how Bethel College and the community would interact. He stated the dormitory nature ofthis building required more parking than was normal for an apartment. He noted the larger parking lot resulted in more surface runoff and more engineering problems in fitting the building to that piece of land. Councilmember Grant stated he would like to see the parcel developed, He noted he was not convinced R-3 was a superior zoning for the parcel. He added he would entertain the suggestion that the case could be presented to the Council. He stated he was concerned about the parking and the size of building. He noted he was not opposed to its development as an R-3 style building. He added he was not enamored with any plans, but believe it could be ironed out with further discussion with staff. . Councilmember Rem stated in clarification that the proposed zoning was R-4, Mr. Mark Christian stated he wanted to respond to the reference that Bethel College's standing was beyond the master plan, He noted the permit states Bethel College is prohibited from non-residential growth beyond its boundaries. He added this is not a Bethel College project. He stated a business would have more parking required than for a residential use, He noted this property has been paying a small amount of taxes for many years and no use has been found for it, He added this use is good for this property, He stated that on the table is a "get out of jail free card" for the city's encroachment on this property, He noted he is trying to work with the city to provide an easy solution for everyone to a problem. He added from the standpoint of an economic impact. He does not see a better use. He stated this use would have less traffic than a business use, He noted they thought they were being creative. Councilmember Larson stated he thought the master plan ofthe college does not preclude this kind of development. He noted he was not suggesting there was a legal impairment. .