08-15-16-Joint WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND JOINT WORK SESSION WITH JDA—AUGUST 15, 2016 9 Senior Planner Bachler explained the City Council could choose to allow this use as either a permitted or conditional use. By requiring a conditional use permit for higher education uses, the City would have an opportunity to evaluate traffic patterns, parking, and other potential negative impacts of the use, and to place reasonable conditions on the approval to mitigate the impacts. Additionally, the City would be able to limit the use to activities that are compatible with the rest of the zoning district and restrict those uses that are not compatible, such as residential dormitories. Staff'is requesting that the City Council provide further direction on this subject by responding to the following questions: 1. Does the City Council support allowing higher education uses in any of the City's industrial zoning districts? If so,which ones? 2. Would the City Council like to see higher education uses classified as a permitted use or a conditional use? Councilmember Holden believed businesses should be located in industrial districts. Councilmember McClung agreed. Councilmember Holmes did not believe that higher education was a compatible use within the industrial zoning district. It was allowed in the B-4 district awhile back and the City received numerous complaints due to issues of incompatibility with other uses. Mayor Grant explained higher education was, a non-intended use in this district. He recommended staff and the Council consider the proper function and scope for industrial properties. He then asked why this issue came about. Senior Planner Bachler stated based on preliminary discussions, a local university was interested in purchasing the Smiths Medical property in order to create additional classrooms and other facilities. Councilmember Wieklund asked if the City has allowed a University or higher education use to operate in the I-Flex district in the past. Mayor Grant reported there was a building owned by the Davidson Company in the B-4 district that Bethel University wanted to use for night classes that was approximately 4,000 square feet. This building was used for some time,but eventually these facilities were relocated. Senior Planner Bachler clarified that the Smiths Medical property was located in the City's I- Flex zoning district. Councilmember Wieklund questioned if Smiths Medical was a fairly desirable property. Councilmember Holden believed this to be true.