03-20-17-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MARCH 20, 2017 5 Councilmember McClung asked if we are going in the direction of looking at the nine commercial and industrial zones and deciding if we really want or need them. Interim City Planner Zweber stated the Planning Commission has looked at what the difference is between I-1 and I-2, and they feel the uses should be listed. Also Zones B-3 and B-4 are close enough in the description that possibly they could be one zone Mayor Grant stated that everyone needs to remember that we are a City and decisions need to be made according to what is best for the City. Councilmember McClung agreed, stating a well-rounded city has a little bit of everything and not too much of any one thing. It doesn't rely on any one employer and diversity of employers is a good thing. Councilmember McClung said Smith Medical started small and grew into other sections of the buildings until they were so successful that they had to move to another facility. So that is a good reason to keep that area as I -Flex. If we allow Northwestern or Bethel to come in they will stay and that will box out the business community, so we have to be careful where we allow education. Councilmember Holmes commented that maybe all the Council wants to do is see if we would want higher education to be in any particular zone and whether it should it be expanded or contracted without questioning all the different zones. Senior Planner Bachler stated the report will show specific recommendations for the higher education land use related to the different existing business and industrial districts in the city. C. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Senior Planner Bachler stated that the City Council is expected to approve the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update in January 2018. He reviewed the schedule as stated in the memorandum. There will be a project website that will be linked to from the City website and facebook page. He is requesting the City Council provide direction to the Planning Commission and review the City Vision and Goals in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Holden had two comments: as people age, how can we make sure people can stay in their home, and what will we do about transportation issues on Hamline Avenue and getting out onto Hamline Avenue from the neighborhoods. Mayor Grant stated that the scope of the update is limited to what is required by the Metropolitan Council. Senior Planner Bachler noted that staff plans to hold the public hearing with the Planning Commission in December and then bring it back to City Council for approval in January, 2018. There is a six month review period for adjacent and affected jurisdictions. Councilmember Holden wondered what the repercussions were if the Comprehensive Plan was submitted late.