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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION March 5, 20146 <br /> <br />example, under the existing requirements a three-bedroom unit would only need to be 900 square <br />feet in size. As the TCAAP site is developed over the next several years, it is anticipated that new <br />multi-family residential developments will be constructed in the City. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br /> reported that staff collected information from seven cities in the metro <br />region that have adopted similar minimum unit size standards. The cities included New Brighton, <br />Blaine, White Bear Lake, Maplewood, Fridley, Coon Rapids, and Bloomington. An analysis was <br />completed comparing the average square footage required per unit in these cities with Arden <br /> <br /> <br />Additionally, staff looked at ten multi-family development projects that have recently been <br />completed or that are under construction in outer-ring suburban communities to evaluate the <br />average unit sizes currently being built in the private market. These projects are located in the <br />communities of New Brighton, White Bear Lake, Arden Hills, Elk River, Apple Valley, Ramsey, <br />Eagan, Osseo, and Maple Grove. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br /> explained that at the City Council Work Session on January 13, 2014, staff <br />reviewed this data with the Council. Based on the comments provided by the Council, staff has <br />drafted Ordinance 2014-003, which would revise the minimum unit size standards for multi- <br />family dwelling units. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br /> indicated the amendment to the multi-family design standards would <br />decrease the required square footage for efficiency apartment units and increase the required <br />square footage for two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, as well as the additional floor area <br />required for each additional bedroom. The City Council directed staff to make these changes so <br />being constructed by the private market. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br /> commented that Ordinance Number 14-003 would amend Section 1325.045, <br />Subd. 1 of the Zoning Code to read as follows: <br /> <br />Minimum Unit Size. Efficiency units shall be a minimum of five hundred and fifty (550) <br />square feet; one-bedroom units shall be a minimum of seven hundred (700) square feet; <br />two-bedroom units shall be a minimum of nine hundred and fifty (950) square feet; and <br />three-bedroom units shall be a minimum of twelve hundred (1,200) square feet. For each <br />additional bedroom, an additional one hundred and fifty (150) square feet is required. <br />Garages, breezeways, common hallways, balconies, and porch floor spaces shall not be <br />credited in determining the required floor area of units. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff <br /> offered the following four (4) findings of fact for the Planning <br /> <br /> <br />1. <br />development standards for multi-family housing that will visually enhance development <br />and promote compatibility with nearby properties and neighborhood character. <br />2. <br />Land Use Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan by developing design standards for multi- <br /> <br />