CCP 01-14-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 10,2001 7 He noted his house was recently appraised at $160,000. He added he built fire pits, decks and put a lot of money into the home. He stated with a two story building there it would reduce home values and eliminate his privacy, He questioner whether he would have any sun in his backyard, He stated he worked late nights and was concerned about at what time construction would begin and end. He noted he was concerned about noise and lighting, He added he was concerned about a possible outdoor break room. He stated he was concerned about going from a 100-foot buffer to a building 14 feet from his house. He noted the construction would take down everything that buffers the property, He added he was not against development. He distributed photographs. He stated that if they had wanted to buy a home with lots of buildings around it, they would have stayed in St. Paul. He noted he appreciated the time to speak. He added he was concerned about the ramp going down next to his bedrooms. He stated he was willing to do whatever it takes to stop this project and get it better negotiated, He noted he would rather not have it there at all, Councilmember Larson asked how high the trees were on the property, Mr. Ristow responded they were 60 feet tall, He stated the trees inside the woods are 100 feet tall. He noted he was concerned that the developer would be taking half of those trees down. Councilmember Larson asked if the trees currently block the sunshine. He stated the building would provide more sunlight. Mr, Ristow responded are enough gaps in the trees to allow sunlight. He stated they have a pool for the kids, He noted he would like to see an 8 foot fence from the back of the site to very front. Mr. Nelson stated his goal is to have it as an office building from 8 to 5 on Monday through Friday, He noted it is a light use project. He added they did submit a concept plan, He stated it was always going to be a partial two-story structure, He noted the parking lot was 10 foot off the north property line, He added it was moved to the south so there was room for some snow storage on that side. He stated there is a building across from Mr. Maguire that is two-stories and 37 feet tall. He noted there are people on the second floor, He added they have already lost some privacy to the west. He showed a view ofMr. Maguire's backyard. He stated Mr. Maguire has a large garage 24 x 30 behind his home, He noted Mr. Maguire also has a dog kennel and an icehouse back there. He added they looked at a scalloped fence with a softer design. He stated they could not do that ifthe fence was taller. He noted he had asked his landscape architect about an 8ft fence. He noted the architect stated a fence over six feet had a significant amount of engineering problems. He added there was more area for the wind so they had to beefup the timber, He stated these fences are unattractive. He noted the Landscape Architect thought that with the trees going in on the north side there should be sufficient privacy, He added they are using River Birch trees, which are fast growing. Mr, Nelson explained that when he started the project two years, he met with all the neighbors, He noted the former owner ofMr. Maguire's home met with him and was in favor ofproject. He