06-25-07 Item 4D, Planning Case 07-010 Condition Use Permit at 4300 W Round Lk Rd

Home Browse Search

.... < C' o ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION -JUNE 6, 2007 9 development. He believed their proposal would be a dramatic improvement with respect to stormwater management. He noted the Rice Creek Watershed District had asked for an easement that covered the pond areas to ensure that they are maintained. He stated they have tried to do everything they could to be responsible in taking into account the environmental issues. He encouraged the retention of the landscaping on the south edge to maintain the original intent. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if they moved the landscaping south would any of the berm remain. Mr. Kretman responded a significant portion of the berm would be taken out. Mr. Kretrnan stated he had also looked at shortened parking stalls if the front end of the vehicle was over turf. He noted this would also reduce the variance. Commissioner Larson asked how they came to the number of parking spaces they needed. Mr. Patterson, applicant, responded a lot of this was based on the number of potential jobs they had. He stated they were anticipating by the end of summer to be expanding their workforce. Commissioner Holewa noted he had visited the site several times and they definitely needed parking. He believed this was a responsible company. He noted over the top of the berm on the southeast side there was buckthorn. Mr. Patterson responded this was a natural area and there has been some trimming in the area. Mr. Kretrnan noted currently there were a number of employees who parked off-site in the United building parking lot. He indicated United was obtaining more tenants, which would eliminate the overflow parking, so they needed additional parking for their employees. Chair Sand closed the public hearing at 8:16 p.m. Commissioner Zimmerman stated he would hate to see Arden Hills lose a business just because they ran out of parking spaces. He believed because they were doing the best they could to mitigate this, he recommended they approve the additional parking spaces. Commissioner Larson stated he would modify condition 5 to say 15, which would be half of the trees. He asked if that could be accommodated. Mr. Kretrnan responded he could not say for sure until he walked the site again. Commissioner Stodola concurred if they were going to move a lot of the trees to the front; she was concerned how viable they would be. She believed where they intended to move the trees seemed appropriate to her. Commissioner Larson moved, seconded by Commissioner Thompson, to recommend approval of Planning Case 07-010 for a Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Variance at 4300 West Round Lake Road based on the findings of fact and the submitted