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Discussion <br /> TAT Properties and City Staff have been working on this proposal since early January. The <br /> applicant has revised the proposal a number of times based on comments from Staff; however <br /> Staff continues to have concerns over several items related to this project. The Planning <br /> Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on this application at their April 4, 2012, <br /> meeting. At this time Staff and the applicant are requesting feedback and direction from the <br /> Council on how to proceed with negotiations. <br /> Staff continues to have concerns related to five aspects of this project, and is seeking direction <br /> from the Council on these items. <br /> Density <br /> The B-2 District allows up to 20 units per acre for multi-family housing. As proposed with 155 <br /> units the project would have 26 units per acre. With the current configuration of the subdivision <br /> the former Holiday Inn would be able to have up to 120 units and still meet the requirements of <br /> the Code. Density is directly related to the number of people living in the building, and the <br /> number of vehicle trips and parking demand that the property will generate. <br /> Kitchens <br /> The Zoning Code and Building Code require dwelling units to have adequate complete and <br /> permanent kitchen facilities. Without a kitchen, as defined by the City, a unit would not be <br /> considered a dwelling unit, but rather a boarding room. Staffs interpretation of the International <br /> Property Maintenance Code and the Zoning Code is that an adequate complete and permanent <br /> kitchen includes a sink, counter, refrigerator, cabinetry, stove, and oven. The applicant is <br /> proposing to put in under-counter refrigerators in place of full sized refrigerators, and <br /> microwaves in place of stoves and ovens. <br /> Staff has reviewed the regulations of several cities to review their definitions of kitchen facilities. <br /> In general, other cities' regulations pertaining to kitchen/cooking facilities are the same as in <br /> Arden Hills. Furthermore, staff at the City of Bloomington stated that they would not consider <br /> microwaves, or under the counter refrigerators, in lieu of full refrigerators, stoves, and ovens, to <br /> be in compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code. <br /> The applicant maintains that kitchens are not clearly defined in the Zoning Code; however, the <br /> City Council does have the authority to interpret and administer its regulations. Commentary, <br /> included with the International Property Maintenance Code, which the City has adopted, defines <br /> adequate kitchen facilities as refrigerators, stoves, and ovens. <br /> City of Arden Hills <br /> City Council Work Session for March 26, 2012 <br /> I Metro-rued.uslardenlullstPlanninglPlanning Cases12012112-007-1201 County Round R-PUU and Plat(Pemting)103 26-12-CC WS-1201 <br /> County Road E PUU-Memo.docx <br /> Page 3 of 5 <br />