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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 20, 2012 5 <br /> priority items. She noted that staff prepared draft regulations of design standards for multi-family <br /> dwellings based on the July Planning Commission discussion, recommendations from the League <br /> of Minnesota Cities, and a review of other cities' codes. The draft was presented to the Planning <br /> Commission at their August 8, 2012, work session. She indicated that revisions were made to the <br /> draft and it is now being offered to the City Council for feedback and direction. <br /> City Planner Beekman stated that copies of the draft regulations were sent to stakeholders in the <br /> community for comments and two responses were received. <br /> City Planner Beekman explained that based on the Planning Commissions discussions, staff has <br /> prepared a draft ordinance that addresses multi-family design standards. She discussed some of <br /> the items included in the regulations. She noted that a copy of the draft regulations was sent to the <br /> City Attorney and the League of Minnesota Cities for feedback. She indicated that the League <br /> suggested avoiding regulations within the Zoning Code that pertain to items regulated by the State <br /> Building Code. The League recommended making all multi-family housing a conditional use <br /> rather than a permitted use through a PUD, as is the current process. The League also suggested <br /> requiring participation in the Crime Free Multi Housing Program through the Rental Registration <br /> Program. The Crime Free Multi Housing Program is offered by the Ramsey County Sheriff's <br /> Department. She noted that the Planning Commission recommended that additional requirements <br /> apply to all new multi-family housing, and that independent senior units or renovations of existing <br /> buildings not have separate or special provisions. <br /> Discussion continued regarding unit sizes, the rental registration program, and the other <br /> regulations noted in the draft revisions to the Zoning Code. The consensus of the Council was to <br /> keep the minimum unit size to 600 square feet as proposed in the draft revision to the Zoning <br /> Code. The Council was also supportive of the security and lighting plan components. The <br /> Council was supportive of the parking section as proposed and noted that there may be some <br /> flexibility with this requirement through the PUD process. The Council directed staff to more <br /> clearly define "common area" in Subd. 5. In terms of efficiency apartments, the Council <br /> consensus was that the number of efficiency apartments in a multiple dwelling shall not exceed <br /> fifteen (15) percent of the total number of apartments. Additionally, the Council directed staff to <br /> strike the clause referring to senior housing in Subd. 6. It was noted that the bicycle parking <br /> regulation in Subd. 7 referred secured storage space. The Council would like to change the word <br /> secured to enclosed. The Council was in agreement with the window coverings section as <br /> presented in Subd. 8. The Council supported staff evaluating the number of required off street <br /> parking spaces when compared to the requirements in similar cities. <br /> D. Concept Review—Brewery Tap Room Discussion <br /> City Planner Beekman stated that the State Legislature passed the Surly Bill in 2011, which <br /> allows taprooms in microbreweries in Minnesota. She noted that the law allows microbreweries <br /> that produce fewer than 250,000 barrels of beer a year to have a taproom where they can sell the <br /> beer that is brewed on site. She also noted that the state law also allows microbreweries that <br /> produce fewer than 3,500 barrels of beer a year to provide off-sale sales of 64 ounce "growlers" <br /> and 750 milliliter bottles, but the law prohibits off-sale sales of beer by the bottle, case, or keg. <br />