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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 21, 2011 2 <br /> City Planner Beekman explained that this use would require that the B2 zoning district be <br /> amended to permit this use. This was necessary for the Northwestern College use as well as the <br /> senior housing proposal previously proposed for this site. She stated a zoning code amendment <br /> would be required to allow the use through a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The Zoning <br /> Code amendment could be processed concurrently with the PUD approval. <br /> Mayor Grant commented that he does not believe this is an acceptable use in the B2 zone. <br /> Councilmember Holmes asked for more clarification on the use of this property. <br /> Mr. Davidson responded that it is his understanding that the participants in this program would <br /> be coming out of a correctional facility and they would stay in this transitional housing to be <br /> reintegrated into the community and retrained so that they can secure employment and leave <br /> within six to nine months. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned if this would be a secured facility. <br /> Mr. Davidson stated this is not a secured facility but there will be a full-time staff. Also, this is a <br /> voluntary program that has been very successful. <br /> Councilmember Holden arrived at 5:13 p.m. <br /> Councilmember Werner asked if there are any other facilities in the Metro area. <br /> Mr. Davidson stated there has been a facility in downtown Minneapolis for many years. <br /> Councilmember Holden commented that this use doesn't really fit into the B2 plan. <br /> City Planner Beekman stated that the Guiding Plan for the B2 district does not address this use. <br /> Councilmember Werner commented that he was OK with the senior housing proposal but he <br /> believes there will be a certain amount of resistance to this use. He stated he doesn't think it is a <br /> good fit. <br /> Councilmember Holmes stated that even though this isn't the type of use the City planned for <br /> this area, but she would be willing to listen to the Salvation Army's presentation. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated that she would be willing to listen to a 15-minute presentation, <br /> but agreed that it isn't a good fit for the B2 district. She stated that she would have trouble <br /> approving a zoning code change. <br /> Mayor Grant stated he would be willing to listen to the Salvation Army but is not supportive of <br /> this use in the B2 zone. He added that the Northwestern College use worked out well for this <br /> area. <br />