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From:Marie Ellis To:David Grant; Brenda Holden; Dave McClung; Jonathan Wicklund; Fran Holmes Cc:Matthew Bachler; Sue Iverson Subject:Support for Northwestern"s completed application for zoning code amendment and CUP Date:Friday, October 14, 2016 8:27:46 AM Attachments:image001.jpg image004.jpg Dear Mayor Grant and Councilmembers Holden, Holmes, McClung, and Wicklund, The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the University of Northwestern’s complete application for a zoning code amendment and conditional use permit, allowing them to purchase the Smiths Medical building for use as classrooms, administrative offices, laboratory space, and incubator space. This incubator space would encourage start-up businesses by providing space and partnership opportunities and will benefit Arden Hills as successful start-ups continue to do business in Arden Hills as they grow. Northwestern’s proposal is consistent with Arden Hills’ plans and desires for the future, as evidenced in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan clearly lays out a goal for Economic Development and Redevelopment and provides policies to advance that goal: · Work to create and strengthen existing partnerships between public and private agencies and institutions. · Encourage communication and cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, and the public sector. · Promote business retention and expansion to enhance the existing economic base and provide applicable and appropriate resources. · Capitalize on existing community strengths, such as location, freeway access, and a well-educated population. The Comp Plan specifically states that one strategy to advance the policies and ideas identified in the Economic Development and Redevelopment chapter is to: Work to strengthen and encourage communication and collaboration between businesses and institutions, such as Bethel University, Northwestern College, and other significant hiring establishments. Northwestern’s proposed use for the Smiths Medical Building is compatible with the nearby properties and is complimentary to the existing development. As you know from the business retention and expansion (BRE) work that the City recently completed with SPACC, employers in Arden Hills think that the training and education of the workforce in Arden Hills is excellent, and one concern of many employers is traffic at rush hour. Approving the University’s application would continue the city’s tradition of a highly educated workforce, and relieve some of the rush hour traffic congestion, as class schedules are not at peak traffic times.