04-10-17-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MARCH 20, 2017 4 Senior Planner Matthew Bachler responded that Bethel is limited to a residential population living on campus of 2,300, not including graduate level students enrolled at the Anderson Center or online. He also noted that Northwestern operates under a PUD and they currently have an enrollment limit of 2,400 full time students on campus. Interim City Planner Zweber said Bethel can probably meet their goals by fully utilizing the Anderson Center, but their CUP may need to be revised. Northwestern does not have the space on campus to meet their goals. City Administrator William Joynes interjected that he had met with Bethel and their intent is to move administrative functions to the Anderson Center, with no change to students that are served at the site. Issues with transportation and shuttle service are problematic and they want to continue to look for a site on campus to serve the S.T.E.M. students. Interim City Planner Zweber moved on to discussing the Commercial and Industrial Zones in the City. He explained this is not specifically looking at universities buy rather looking at the purpose statements of the zoning districts to understand what the difference is between the zoning districts and try to determine if the uses that are being offered supporting the purpose statements. He presented two tables representing the Commercial and Industrial Zones’ Purpose Statements and the Commercial and Industrial NAISC classifications. He explained what businesses are currently in the zoning districts as broken into four groups; Group 1: Neighborhood Business (NB) & Limited Business (B-1), Group 2: General Business (B-2), Service Business (B-3) and Retail Center District (B-4), Group 3: Gateway Business (GB) and I-FLEX, Group 4: Limited Industrial (I-1) and General Industrial (I-2). Councilmember Holden suggested that we may need to redefine what we call Neighborhood Business because there were so many businesses grandfathered in to that classification. Interim City Planner Zweber explained the different zones and the types of businesses in each. He commented that there seems to be many of the same uses in the zones so the zones are not unique. Council members may want to ask if nine commercial and industrial zones are needed in the City. Planning Commissioner Steve Jones mentioned that the Planning Commission has been looking at the zones. Councilmember McClung asked for clarification of what direction the Council should provide to the Planning Department. Interim City Planner Zweber reminded the Council that there are five pieces, the first two were presented. What do the colleges want to do? What are the existing zoning and what businesses make sense to be in those zones? Next, what is the economic impact of the different industries in the zones? What are other community’s strategies for what zones have education uses, and finally there will be an evaluation of existing properties and buildings in each category…acreage and square feet. All five pieces are being looked at before recommendations will be made to the Council. Feedback isn’t necessary, this is mostly informational until all 5 pieces are presented.