8A, Planning Case 12-014 - Zoning Code Amendment - Multi-family Dwelling Units

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storage of the bicycle such that the frame itself can be secured in every stall or in every adjacent spot on a rack where a vertical pole is provided. Racks should be modern and allow a standard U-lock to secure the frame to the rack. Cheap racks that don't allow this U-lock method and require a flexible 'cable lock' attachment create a theft magnet as anyone with a pair of bolt cutters can quickly steal the bicycle. 3) Automobile parking that promotes density - a) I do not believe it is reasonable to require 1.5 parking stalls for every bedroom. Seas of parking lots will turn any multi-family project into an eyesore. 1 stall per bedroom is a more reasonable number. While some people may have guests overnight, others will stay overnight at other places. Again, I think market demand will be an adequate driving force in this situation and assure that each development has the proper number of parking stalls. Tenants won't live somewhere if they require a car and are not guaranteed a parking spot. I am not sure if you are aware, but Flaherty's Bowling alley has sold parking spots to Bethel students in the past due to parking shortages at Bethel. Market forces always win in this type of situation. If Arden Hills experiences problems with parking,perhaps it should consider waiving it's strict no-overnight street parking policy that is put in effect all winter long and consider adopting a more friendly winter policy, such as the kind that the city of Roseville has. Arden Hills should also look for more on-street parking opportunities and perhaps require developments to put in parking bays. On-street parking is an extremely efficient use of space, and I would like to see more of this in Arden Hills, even along major county roads. b) New developments should be required to underground some of their parking. This is the only way that a kind of desirable density can be created, especially that which is sought after in the B2 district. 4) Establishing a high minimum square feet per unit standard should not be a strong focal point - When the council voted on the multi-family housing moratorium, and one council member suggested that 300 square feet wasn't an appealing unit size. In other developed countries, 300 square feet units are not uncommon. While America has more space, us citizens should be responsible for how we use that space. Seattle, WA is currently allows 300 feet studio apartments. The city of New York allows 400 square feet units but the mayor is looking to lower this minimum to 300 square feet to meet market demand, per the the following article: hU://WWW.huffingtolWost.com/2012/07/09Znyc-=artment-size-bloomb apartmentsn 1660396.html I hope these comments are helpful and will provide some insight during your discussion! --Steve Gjerdingen (An Arden Hills employee but not a resident)