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City of Arden Hills City Council Meeting for November 28, 2016 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2016\PC 16-028 - University of Northwestern - CUP & Zoning Code Amendment - 1260 Grey Fox Road\Memos_16-028\CC Report (12-12-16)_16-028.docx Page 3 of 5 3. The University of Northwestern-St. Paul has requested a Zoning Code Amendment to allow “schools, higher education” as a conditional use in the I-Flex Zoning District. 4. The University of Northwestern-St. Paul has requested a Conditional Use Permit for a “schools, higher education” use at the property located at 1265 Grey Fox Road pending approval of the requested Zoning Code Amendment. 5. The “schools, higher education” land use is not compatible with the predominantly industrial and employment-based permitted and conditional uses currently allowed in the I-Flex District. 6. The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is not consistent with the land use goal within the 2030 Comprehensive Plan to “Develop and maintain a land use pattern that strengthens the vitality, quality, and character of our residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial areas while protecting the community’s natural resources and developing a sustainable pattern for future development” (Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan, at 3-1). 7. The subject property is guided for Light Industrial and Office on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map, which is defined as “areas designated for a broad range of light industrial uses such as warehousing with manufacturing. This land use may also include offices” (Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan, at 6-8). The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is not consistent with the Future Land Use map. 8. The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is not consistent with the purpose of the I-Flex District to preserve, protect, enhance and perpetuate existing development in the district. 9. The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is not consistent with the purpose of the I-Flex District to attract new development that is compatible with existing development in the district in terms of use, performance, character, quality and appearance of buildings and sites. 10. The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is not consistent with the economic development goal within the 2030 Comprehensive Plan to, “Promote the development, redevelopment, and maintenance of viable, innovative, and diverse business environment serving Arden Hills and the metropolitan area” (Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan, at 8-1). The “schools, higher education” land use does not create the same intensity of employment as the existing uses in the I-Flex Zoning District. 11. The existing buildings create the opportunity for multiple new businesses that are compatible with existing development in the I-Flex District to locate within the community of Arden Hills. 12. The proposed Zoning Code Amendment is premature given the study ordered by the City Council as part of the Interim Ordinance No. 2016-008. 13. The City approved a Campus Master Plan for the University of Northwestern in 2007. The plan was designed to support a student population of 2,400 on campus, and included an additional 433,506 square feet of building space to be built over 12 to 20 years. To