03-08-17 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 8, 2017 4 increasing the Continuing Adult and Professional Programs enrollment to 4,000 students. Northwestern plans on growing their total enrollment to 7,000 students while they have room for only about 2,500 full time traditional students on campus. Both universities plan on adding enrollment through increasing the number of programs that they offer. These new programs are expected to include a significant amount of online instruction. Mr. Zweber stated in addition to the mathematics, science, and engineering courses, Bethel plans on adding physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training and doctorate of nursing programs at the Anderson Center within the next five years. Northwestern plans on adding bachelor of science in data analytics, master of biology, master of data analytics, master of nursing, engineering, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant and nurse practitioner programs and hopes to eventually have a medical college. Northwestern does not currently have facilities for these new programs and there is not enough room to accommodate all of the new programs on their campus. Staff reviewed the current student population for both Bethel University and the University of Northwestern. Mr. Zweber commented that due to the desire of both universities to grow their programs and enrollment, and the cost savings from converting existing building into higher education facilities, Arden Hills should continue to expect requests from both Bethel and Northwestern to expand their facilities into the existing business and industrial zones. Hannah Rybak, WSB, stated for the purposes of this study, all applicable land uses within the City were assigned a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. The NAICS is used by businesses and governments throughout North America, and is also used for industry information in the United States Census. It is being used for this study so that the land uses within districts correlate and can be evaluated in the same manner as employment and income by industry. Ms. Rybak discussed the purpose and allowed uses for the following zoning districts: • Neighborhood Business (NB) & Limited Business (B-1) • General Business (B-2), Service Business (B-3) and Retail Center District (B-4) • Gateway Business (GB) and I-FLEX • Limited Industrial (I-1) and General Industrial (I-2) Mr. Zweber concluded his report be stating both Bethel and Northwestern desire to acquire or construct off-campus facilities. He encouraged the Planning Commission to consider if the City needed nine different zoning districts. Commissioner Lambeth asked how many of the nine zoning districts would allow educational uses. Mr. Zweber reported at this time higher education was allowed by Conditional Use Permit in the B-1, B-2, B-4, and Civic Center zoning districts, and by PUD in the R-1 district. Commissioner Lambeth understood the Smiths Medical campus was vacant at this time and that the University of Northwestern was interested in this space.