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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 27, 2016 15 City Planner Streff noted the Planned Unit Development process is a tool that provides additional flexibility for development that an underlying zoning district would not otherwise allow. For example, a PUD may make exceptions to setbacks, lot coverage, parking requirements, signage, building materials, or landscaping requirements. It is intended to overcome the limitations of zoning regulations and improve the overall design of a project. While the PUD process allows the City to negotiate certain aspects of the development, any conditions imposed on the PUD must have a rational basis related to the expected impact of the development. A PUD cannot be used to permit uses that would not otherwise be permitted in the underlying zoning district. City Planner Streff explained the first step in the PUD process is the Master PUD, which is a detailed concept plan for the entire development proposal, often outlining individual phases for development over a specified period of time. The second step is the Final PUD for each phase, which is a more detailed review as each development phase moves forward. During the Master PUD stage, the City works with the applicant to set an overall design framework or standard for a proposed development. These standards are then written into a development agreement which generally includes the design standards, a list of conditions, the size of the development, and what, if any, deviations from the underlying zoning district will be permitted. Once the Master PUD is approved, the applicant then creates a development that conforms to the development agreement for each subsequent Final PUD phase. The level of detail is guided by the type and scale of the development as well as the guidance or flexibility within the Zoning Code. City Planner Streff reviewed the Plan Evaluation, the Sign Code Review and Subdivision Code. City Planner Streff stated the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 16-014 at their regular meeting on June 8, 2016. Draft minutes from the meeting are included in Attachment G. The Planning Commission offers the following eleven (11) findings of fact for consideration: General Findings: 1. The applicant is requesting approval of a Master Planned Unit Development (PUD) Agreement & Final PUD for Phase 1 of the Land O’Lakes Corporate Headquarters consolidation plan located at 4001 Lexington Avenue North. 2. Phase 1 of the Land O’Lakes Corporate Headquarters consolidation plan includes the expansion of the south parking lot on the campus and Phase 2 includes the construction of a new four-story office building along with the reconfiguration and expansion of the parking area on the north side of the campus. 3. The PUD process allows for flexibility within the City’s regulations through a negotiated process with a developer. 4. The Land O’Lakes property is comprised of 47.37 acres. 5. The Land O’Lakes property is located at 4001 Lexington Avenue North. 6. The Land O’Lakes property is located in the I-1 – Limited Industrial District. 7. The proposed use is a permitted use in the I-1 – Limited Industrial District. 8. The Master Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment and Final PUD for Phase 1 are in substantial conformance with the requirements set forth in the City’s Zoning Code and design standards. 9. Where the plan is not in conformance with the City’s Zoning Code, flexibility has been requested by the applicant.