04-9-14-PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 5, 2014 7 family housing 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 design guidelines for new multi-family dwelling units. City Planner Streff stated that staff recommends approval of Ordinance Number 14-003 in Planning Case 14-009 for an amendment to Section 1325.045, Subd. 1 – Multi-family Dwelling Units Additional Conditional Use Permit Criteria of the Zoning Code in order to revise the minimum unit size standards for multi-family dwelling units, as presented in the March 5, 2014, Report to the Planning Commission. City Planner Streff reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on this matter: 1. Recommend Approval as Presented. 2. Recommend Approval with Changes. 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Commissioner Hames asked why Shoreview and Roseville’s multi-family dwelling unit size standards were not considered by staff. Associate Planner Bachler commented that staff did not find multi-family minimum unit size standards for these cities. He stated that staff tried to limit their study to cities in the northeast metro. Vice Chair Thompson opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Vice Chair Thompson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment Vice Chair Thompson closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. Vice Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Hames questioned why the City was reviewing this Ordinance. Associate Planner Bachler stated that in January 2013, staff was directed by the Council to review the multi-family unit dwelling sizes, in particular the square footage standards for three bedroom units. Information was gathered from surrounding communities and was presented to the City Council in January 2014. After discussion at the Council level, staff was directed to draft an ordinance that would amend the multi-family design standards. He commented that the proposed amendment was not in response to any proposed development or particular request.