07-11-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES June 20, 2005 3 John Mehrkens of Senior Housing Partners was available to answer any questions or concerns that the City Council had rcgarding this proposed addition to Presbyterian Homes. Mr. Mehrkens providcd the City Council with a brief overvicw of the proposed addition to the Presbyterian Homcs facility. The proposed addition would result in a more single unit rooms, improved dining room areas, and increased equipment storage areas. Thc current driveway will remain in its cxisting location. Landscaping will be added to thc outside of the proposed addition. The existing landscape screcning will be saved. The proposed project is a three story addition with a fourth floor rooftop garden/patio for paticnts to be outside. Also, the proposed plans would cause minimal topography changes to the existing site. Councilmember Larson cxpressed concern about the possibility of loud noises being creatcd by the HV AC system. Mr. Mchrkens said that the HV AC system is state of the art and that this should not be an issue. The HV AC units would be locatcd behind a wall to help minimize the sound. Councilmember Holden said that some neighborhood residents may be affected by the fourth floor garden area. Residents of Presbytcrian Homes may be able to look into a resident's front yard. Mr. Mehrkens said that the garden area will only be utilized by patients and will be not used in the evenings. Mayor Aplikowski asked if the ncighbors expresscd any concerns at the neighborhood meeting. Mr. Mehrkens said that overall the neighborhood was favorable to this project and understood the reasoning behind the proposed expansion. No Smoking in the Parks Policy At the March 22, 2005 meeting thc Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) discussed the possibility of cstablishing a no smoking policy for City parks. Committcc member David McClung agrecd to take thc lead on this project, research the project, and report back to the PTRC at the April 26Lh mecting. At the April 26Lh meeting, Ms. Katie Engman from the Ramscy County Tobacco Coalition made a presentation to the PTRC regarding what other communities are doing in regards to no smoking policies in local parks. Also, three Mounds View High School Students gave a presentation regarding the negative effects of tobacco. The three stlldcnts are members of the Peers Acting to Challenge Tobacco (PACT) group. At the May 24, 2005, PTRC meeting the committee discussed the possibility of establishing a no smoking policy in the City's parks. The PTRC passed a motion (5-0) recommending that the City Council adopt a no smoking policy for City parks. 3