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<br />intersection the need for a separate freestanding Walgreen's sign is diminished <br />(Attachment 3A-I). <br /> <br />The existing mature trees near the County Road E and Lexington Avenue comer provide <br />a significant amount of screening for the pod office building from the street, which makes <br />the existing freestanding sign at the intersection necessary to adequately advertise <br />businesses on the property. However, if the trees near the comer are removed as <br />proposed, the visibility for a building near that intersection is increased and the need for <br />keeping the freestanding sign at the comer is decreased. The proposed Walgreen's store <br />at the intersection includes wall signage that faces north, northeast, and east toward the <br />public road, <br /> <br />The freestanding signs at the two entrance points to Arden Plaza do appear to be needed <br />for advertising and way-finding for the other businesses on the property. <br /> <br />2. Tree Preservation and Landscaping Plan <br /> <br />At the request ofthe Planning Commission, the applicant submitted a site plan showing <br />the existing trees that are proposed to be preserved or removed (drawing C I a in <br />Attachment 3C-1), A revised landscaping and tree removal plan was also submitted <br />(Attachment 3C-1). <br /> <br />According to the applicants, it was determined that the proposed improvements at the <br />Lexington Avenue entrance will require additional existing trees to be removed due to <br />their proximity to the new curb and sidewalk. The applicant also stated that the road <br />improvements at the Lexington Avenue entrance would be within one foot of the existing <br />trees, which is not enough space to protect the trees before and after construction and <br />ensure their long-term viability, <br /> <br />The previous landscaping plan proposed removing 364 caliper inches of trees, preserving <br />662 caliper inches of trees, and planting 228 caliper inches of trees. A total of 890 <br />caliper inches would be in place upon full implementation of the landscaping plan. <br /> <br />The revised landscaping plan in the October 2007 report proposes to remove 412 caliper <br />inches, preserve 592 caliper inches, and plant 224 caliper inches. Upon full <br />implementation ofthe landscaping plan, there would be 816 caliper inches of trees. <br /> <br />If the property were vacant and being developed for the first time, approximately 305 <br />caliper inches oftrees would be required. <br /> <br />3. Parking Configuration <br /> <br />At the September 5,2007, Planning Commission meeting, there was a concern about the <br /> <br />City of Arden Hills <br />Planning Commission Meetingfor November 7,2007 <br /> <br />\\Metro-inet.uslardenhills\PlanningIPlanning Cases\2007\07-0J8 Arden Plaza PUD (In Review)\110707 - PC Report ~ Arden Plaza - Master <br />PUD.doc <br /> <br />Page 6 of 12 <br />