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

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At their August 20, 2012, meeting the Council directed Staff to revise the City's rental registration regulations to include registration requirements for multi-family dwellings, and to add participation in the Crime Free Multi-family housing program a requirement of registration. Staff is working on this revision and will present it to the City Council once it is complete. Findings of Fact Cities have broad discretion when reviewing and adopting zoning regulations; however, as a tool to implement a city's comprehensive plan, it is necessary to understand the connection between the two documents when reviewing zoning code amendments. Staff offers the following findings of fact for the Council's consideration: 1. The proposed amendment advances the City's land use goals because it creates high development standards for multi-family housing that will visually enhance development and promote compatibility with nearby properties and neighborhood character. 2. The proposed amendment advances the City's implementation strategies identified in the Land Use Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan by developing design standards for multi- family housing, which is a residential land use, that ensure the construction of high quality, sustainable, and aesthetically enhanced developments. 3. The proposed amendment advances the City's housing goals because it will promote the development of a variety of housing options by creating a framework and process for the City to approve high-quality housing opportunities that are suitable for a mix of ages, incomes, and household types. 4. The proposed amendment advances the City's implementation strategies identified in the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan by establishing architectural/design guidelines for new multi-family dwelling units. Recommendation The Planning Commission voted 3-3 (Hames, Holewa, Zimmerman dissenting) to approve the regulations as presented. Because a majority of the Planning Commission did not vote to approve or deny the item, it moves forward to the City Council without a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Staff recommends approval of Planning Case 12-014 to add Sections 1305.04 Subd 70 and 1325.045, and to amend Sections 1320.05 and 1325.06 Subd 1.J of the Zoning Code pertaining to Multi-family Dwelling Units in the City, as presented in the September 5, 2012, report to the Planning Commission. City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for September 24, 2012 P:IPlanninglPlanning Cases12012112-014-Zoning Code Amendment-Multi family HousingW9-24-12-CC Memo-Multi family proposed regulations.doc Page 3 of 4