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<br />City of Arden Hills <br />Planning Commission Meeting for February 8, 2017 <br />P:\Planning\Planning Commission\Work Plan\2017 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 2 <br /> <br />current Comprehensive Plan and making updates as needed based on recent trends in physical <br />development and current and projected demographic data. <br /> <br />Higher Education Study <br />The City Council adopted an Interim Ordinance in October 2016 temporarily prohibiting land <br />use applications and reviews for higher education uses in residential business, industrial, and <br />other zones. The moratorium can remain in effect for up to 12 months to prepare a study on the <br />impacts and benefits of higher education land uses. The Planning Commission will work with a <br />consultant firm to be hired by the City on completing this study by September 2017. The <br />Planning Commission may be asked to make recommendations to the City Council on possible <br />Zoning Code or Comprehensive Plan amendments based on the report conclusions. <br /> <br />Sign Code <br />Over the last few years, the City has processed several applications requesting flexibility from <br />regulations included in its Sign Code. The most common requests have been for additional wall <br />or freestanding signage. In 2017, staff will work with the Planning Commission to complete a <br />review of the existing Arden Hills Sign Code and how neighboring communities regulate <br />signage. The Planning Commission will be asked to make recommendations to the City Council <br />on possible updates to the Sign Code. <br /> <br />Planning Commission Training Opportunities <br />The League of Minnesota Cities offers an online learning land use series as part of their loss <br />control program. All of the Planning Commissioners have completed the first course in the <br />series. The League provides liability insurance to Arden Hills and has found that cities that have <br />Commissioners who are educated about land use law are less likely to be sued or lose lawsuits <br />when they are filed. If Commissioners are interested in taking the second course, which focuses <br />on developing land use plans and regulations, staff can assist with registration. <br /> <br />Government Training Services (GTS) also offers land use planning courses. Information <br />regarding dates and locations for that series will be emailed to the Planning Commission as they <br />are made available. These courses are designed for Councilmembers and Planning <br />Commissioners, and are typically offered in full and half day sessions throughout the Twin <br />Cities. The courses are well done and provide a wealth of information regarding land use <br />fundamentals. Planning Commissioners are required to participate in at least one of the GTS <br />courses during their term in order to be appointed to a subsequent term. <br /> <br />The consulting and design firm, WSB & Associates, also offers educational opportunities for <br />Planning Commissioners. Their Planning 101 course will be offered Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 <br />a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and is free of charge. Please contact staff for additional information on this <br />course. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> <br />A. Draft 2017 Work Plan