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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Page 2 Applicant 46 Brian Humphries, Northwestern College, Associate Vice President of Campus 47 Operations 48 Mr. Humphries reviewed the background of why this building (i.e., 2803 Lincoln Drive), 49 already owned by Northwestern College, had been chosen to house their nursing 50 program. Mr. Humphries noted that the State called for a certain square footage for such 51 a nursing program; and this amount, 7,300 square feet, was available in the 2803 52 building currently owned by the College, and not currently used to its full capacity. 53 Mr. Humphries advised that the first floor of the office building was currently leased out to 54 Edina Realty, with the other floors occupied by the College, mostly for office space. Mr. 55 Humphries opined that this was the logical location for the nursing program; and that no 56 other academic buildings or space on the campus proper was currently available for a 57 program of that size. 58 Bruce Simat, Northwestern College, Biology Department Chair 59 Having helped to start the biology program, and in his eighteen (18) years tenure at 60 Northwestern College, Mr. Simat opined that a nursing program was the next logical step 61 for the College to initiate. Mr. Simat advised that such a program and been discussed for 62 the last decade, and more seriously considered over the last five (5) years. 63 Mr. Simat advised that projections indicated that the program would not be immediately 64 filled to its State-monitored capacity, but could be filled in the future. Mr. Simat noted that 65 it was not the College’s intent to expand the program in an effort to keep the program 66 manageable and of high-quality. Mr. Simat noted that students currently receiving 67 medical education of one nature or another at Northwestern College were known in the 68 industry to be of high quality, with a 90% placement rate for Northwestern College 69 students in medical professions, based on that high quality. 70 From his professional perspective regarding the proposed space itself, Mr. Simat opined 71 that it has the right professional appearance for now; and if and when possible, the 72 program could come back onto the campus proper; however, he advised that this was not 73 anticipated to occur in the near future. 74 At the request of Member Strohmeier, Mr. Humphries advised that the current enrollment 75 at Northwestern College was 1,700 traditional students. 76 At the request of Member Strohmeier regarding projections for how many additional 77 students would be enrolled as a result of adding this nursing program, Mr. Humphries 78 advised that about two (2) classes of twelve (12) students each was anticipated initially; 79 with the maximum as the program grew to be no more than thirty-six (36) for each class, 80 or a maximum total of seventy-two (72) nursing students. 81 At the request of Member Strohmeier regarding the number of additional administrative 82 staff, Mr. Humphries advised that five (5) additional professors were anticipated, but not 83 much support staff, as most of the nursing space would be utilized for simulation labs. 84 At the request of Vice Chair Gisselquist, Mr. Lloyd reviewed parking related to an 85 amended use at this site. Mr. Lloyd advised that staff’s review of the request did not 86 present any parking concerns with the proposed use of the existing facility for 87 simulation/lab space, and no greater traffic or parking generation than a typical office use. 88 Regarding Vice Chair Gisselquist’s comment regarding any potential future use this 89 amendment could allow for a larger campus in this zoning district beyond the 90 Northwestern College use, Mr. Lloyd noted that this office building had more parking per 91 square foot than required for office uses, and more parking per square foot than the 92 Minneapolis Business College (i.e., in the Rosewood Office Building which has not posed 93 any parking issues or concerns. Conceptually, Mr. Lloyd advised that it was anticipated 94 that parking needs with this use would be similar to that of other office space uses. 95