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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION – SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 3 <br /> <br />The Commission directed staff to discuss the proposed amendments with the City Council and to <br />begin making these necessary code adjustments. <br /> <br />B. Planning Case 15-020 – Zoning Code Amendment – Retail & Resale Business <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler requested the Planning Commission consider revising the retail sales <br />and services definition in the Zoning Code and adding a new definition for resale business. Staff <br />reviewed the proposed zoning code amendment in detail with the Planning Commission and <br />requested comment. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson opened the floor to Commission questions. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman questioned how neighboring communities addressed resale <br />businesses. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler reported that some of the language used for the new resale business <br />definition was from the Vadnais Heights City Code. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones discussed the number of thrift stores in the area, along with the number of <br />pawn shops. He believed that the products for sale and the footprint should be evaluated rather <br />than the simply disallowing a resale store. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson stated that another way to address this issue would be to allow resale <br />businesses in only certain zoning districts given the small size of the City. She did not want to <br />see an imbalance in the communities’ retail and commercial shops. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler discussed the land use chart with the Planning Commission and <br />noted where retail sales and services were currently allowed in Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman suggested that the existing retail sales and services definition be <br />expanded to include used or consignment goods. He discussed how the numerous college <br />students and those living at E Street Flats would benefit by resale/consignment shops. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson discussed how times were changing and she believed there was a greater <br />desire to reuse and recycle items. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones was surprised that pawn shops were not allowed in Arden Hills. He was <br />in favor of the City reconsidering pawn shops in the City of Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler thanked the Commission for their input regarding retail and resale <br />businesses. <br /> <br />It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that no changes should be made to the Zoning <br />Code at this time to distinguish between retail sales and services and resale businesses. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />