07-30-07 Item 7B, Planning Case 06-040 Final PUD for Traverse Business Ctr

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - JULY 11, 2007 14 Commissioner Holewa asked for the rationale for the monument sign on Round Lake Boulevard and Highway 96. Mr. Lehnhoff responded the applicant would be better able to speak to that. Commissioner Stodola expressed concern about the traffic and the increase in traffic. She believed this needed to be looked at. Commissioner Zimmerman noted the only saving grace that he saw was that this would be addressed with TCAAP. He noted that would have to be resolved whether this got developed or not. Chair Sand thanked the developer for coming forward with an entire proposal. He noted this is a key comer for the City and they have always looked at that comer as a major gateway to the City. John McClure, Chesapeake Companies Landscape Designer, stated this has been an interesting process to get to this point. He summarized the history of the project. Commissioner Zimmerman stated he would like to see in Phase 3 some sort of major cultural center (i.e. Chanhassen, Ordway, etc.). Stan Muldey, Chesapeake Companies, stated it was their desire to make the site as attractive and appealing as possible. He noted one of the constraints on this site was the existing billboards and the easement between the two billboards which did not allow them to plant anything over six feet high between the two billboards. He noted the landscape plans was comprised of a number of features including over story trees. He noted they were attempting to take advantage of the water on the site. They would be restoring wetlands and putting in pond buffers. He stated they would also have some trailways, shrubs, over story trees, wild flowers, and prairie grasses. He stated they were proposing 178 over story trees, which was over the City's requirement. He stated of the 23.26 acres, wetlands and ponds incorporate over 4 acres with the buffer lands being 1.8 acres and green space being 3.9 acres with hard surface of 13 acres. He believed the site plan would provide an elegant and attractive office campus. He noted the wetlands, buffers and ponds were taken out ofthe landscape calculation. Commissioner Holewa asked what where the plans for rainwater drainage. Mr. Muldey responded they had the wetland and ponds areas to accommodate rainwater. He noted there would be onsite collection and infiltration, which would be released into both a drop culvert and a straight culvert. Mr. McClure noted they could not put a sign of any height that would be visible from 1- 694 due to the billboard height requirements. Commissioner Modesette asked if a 12 foot height was needed. Mr. McClure stated the sign was not tied down to tight specifications, but the idea was to tie it into the building and the project as a whole. He noted the sign was 40 square feet, which was less than the Holiday Station sign. He stated they wanted to sign to be visible and was not dwarfed by the Holiday Station sign.