CCP 01-28-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 2001 5 Councilmember Aplikowski stated the issue is whether they want to change the zoning. She asked that if one of the other institutions came fOlWard and said it wanted to put housing on that comer, would the Council's response be different. She questioned whether they wanted an apartment building on that comer or wanted to save it for a business use. Councilmember Rem stated since it is a neighborhood business zone, it would be a smaller business. She noted the zoning has not been in place long enough to see if it was appropriate. She added she would prefer to see it kept neighborhood business for a longer time to see what might go in at the site. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she liked the proposal. She noted an apartment building was a better choice for the comer then a small business. Mr. Kjersten stated their original proposal was to do an office building. He noted since that time office demand has fallen off rapidly. He added this was an opportunity for all of the parties to have something that does work. Councilmember Grant stated he was willing to entertain the idea to change it to multi- family use. He noted was not sure about these particular plans, but he would want to see something that fits the site aesthetically. He added he does have some issues with the traffic flow and parking. Mr. Raymond Kreps, 1676 Chatham Avenue, stated he was a retired general contractor. He noted he had seen this comer remain for sale for 22 years. He added it was a sore spot in the City of Arden Hills for looks and tax purposes. He stated he does not see a business going in there without a double access. He noted he would oppose that. He added he does not feel there would be a traffic problem. He stated the building is tight but fits in on the site. He noted this housing would be available to seniors in the summer time. He added many people look for a summer place, because they go south for the winter. He stated it was a good choice. He noted they should get that comer developed. Ms. Jan Bergman, 3790 Brighton Way, stated she had spoken to Mr. Dan Soler the traffic engineer. She noted she had asked him to review accidents on five sites in this area. She added there were 30 accidents in the last four years. She stated there were 25 accidents at E2 on the on and off ramps for 35 W. She noted Mr. Soler thought that was significant. She added Mr. Soler stated he would be sending a letter to the state Department of Public Safety recommending lights at the on and off ramps. Mr. Bob Carlson, 1482 Bussard Court, asked about the encroachment that the developer alluded to. Mayor Probst responded that some years ago a new lift station was built along Cleveland Avenue. He stated some property owners wanted to have a lift station built. He noted some papelWork needed to be done to grant an easement and that papelWork does not exist. Mr. Carlson stated Bethel College has an II-year lease. He noted it would behoove the council to see that lease to make sure Bethel College does not have an option to buy the building at the end of that lease. He added the Federal Highway Department