4B, 09/24/12-R Draft Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL— SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 8 MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Planning Case 12-014 to adopt Ordinance 12-007 entitled "Amendments 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 Regarding Multi-family Dwelling Units in the City", as presented in the September 24, 2012, report to the City Council. Councilmember Tamble stated that he would like to consider some of the items and changes individually, such as the 600 square foot minimum unit size. He would also like to address the minimum parking requirements. He noted that it is hard to quantify 1.5 spaces until you start thinking in larger terms (i.e. 1.5 parking spaces for ten efficiency and one bedroom apartments, which is 15 parking spots). Mayor Grant noted that there is a motion on the floor. Procedurally, if Councilmember Tamble would like the Council to discuss amendments, they can. If each amendment is discussed one at a time, it helps keep the focus on each issue. Councilmember Tamble stated that he would like to recommend that 500 square foot minimum units be considered. MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to amend Ordinance 2012-007, Section 1325.045, Subd. 1 minimum unit size to be 500 square feet. Councilmember Holden noted that a recent article in the New York Times discussed allowing apartments to go down to a minimum of 425 square feet, however, everything was built into the walls, so the 425 square feet was actually all open space. She is trying to imagine a 500 square foot size unit with a bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Mayor Grant stated that he thinks 600 square feet is reasonable. He might be willing to change it by a small amount, but not one hundred square feet to make the minimum 500 square feet. Mayor Grant called the vote for the amendment to subd. 1. The motion amendment failed (2-3) (Holmes, Holden, and Grant opposed). MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to amend Ordinance 2012-007, Section 1325.045, Subd. 1 minimum unit size to be 550 square feet. The motion amendment failed (1-4) (Holmes, Holden, Grant, and Werner opposed). MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to amend Ordinance 2012-007, Section 1325.06, Subd. 1.J to amend the required number of off street parking spaces from 1.5 per efficiency and 1 bedroom dwelling units to 1.1. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).