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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 9, 2016 4 Commissioner Jones asked for comment from staff on Northwestern’s approved Campus Master Plan. Mr. Zweber stated a general academic building was proposed that would have been located on the Arden Hills side of the campus, along with a large dormitory and parking lot on the Roseville side of the campus. Commissioner Gehrig understood the Council had taken action to study the I-Flex zoning district further over the next 12 months. Mr. Zweber reported this was the case, but noted all zoning districts would be evaluated with regard to their compatibility to higher educational uses. He noted this action was taken on October 10, 2016. Chair Thompson opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Chair Thompson invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Alan Cureton, President of University of Northwestern, provided context as to why a proposal was being brought forward to the City of Arden Hills. He explained the University has seen increases in STEM degrees, which included science, technology, engineering and math. He agreed with staff that the 2007 Campus Master Plan did include future additional space including 60,000 square feet of academic space. He stated that the Smiths Medical facility is wonderful for the University because of the science labs for the students and offices for the faculty to move right into a science facility. He stated that the University has a pragmatic perspective on this request because a new science facility would likely cost up to $400 per square foot while the estimates to renovate the Smiths Medical facility is between $125 and $150 per square foot. Mr. Cureton stated he understood the City was working to attract strong businesses. He encouraged the City also see the benefit of raising talented and well-educated employees. He believed a strong workforce would attract businesses to the community. He discussed the number of individuals that would be retiring from the engineering and health care industries in the coming years. He saw an opportunity for the University to expand their programming to meet this need. The University would like to explore a partnership with the City, the local Colleges and Corporations (the Three C’s) to meet these needs and demands. While he understood the concerns of the City, he stated it was his hope Northwestern could partner with the City on this issue. There being no additional comment Chair Thompson closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. Chair Thompson requested comments from the Commission and if they believed a higher education school use belonged in the I-Flex zoning district. Commissioner Jones did not object to a higher education school use being located in the I-Flex zoning district. However, he did have concerns about the proposal given the Ordinance recently approved by the City Council.