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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – February 8, 2017 5 Planning Commission will work with a consultant firm to be hired by the City on reviewing the current Comprehensive Plan and making updates as needed based on recent trends in physical development and current and projected demographic data. Higher Education Study The City Council adopted an Interim Ordinance in October 2016 temporarily prohibiting land use applications and reviews for higher education uses in residential business, industrial, and other zones. The moratorium can remain in effect for up to 12 months to prepare a study on the impacts and benefits of higher education land uses. The Planning Commission will work with a consultant firm to be hired by the City on completing this study by September 2017. The Planning Commission may be asked to make recommendations to the City Council on possible Zoning Code or Comprehensive Plan amendments based on the report conclusions. Sign Code Over the last few years, the City has processed several applications requesting flexibility from regulations included in its Sign Code. The most common requests have been for additional wall or freestanding signage. In 2017, staff will work with the Planning Commission to complete a review of the existing Arden Hills Sign Code and how neighboring communities regulate signage. The Planning Commission will be asked to make recommendations to the City Council on possible updates to the Sign Code. Chair Thompson was pleased the City would be completing a higher education study. Commissioner Jones stated he was interested in attending the GTS training being offered in 2017. Senior Planner Bachler commented that when he receives information on training opportunities he would forward this information on to the Planning Commission members. Councilmember Holmes recommended the Planning Commission review the B-2 zoning district design standards in the coming year. Chair Thompson agreed it would benefit the City for the Planning Commission to review the B- 2 District design standards and recommended this item be placed on the Commission’s work plan for 2017. Commissioner Hames and Commissioner Jones supported this recommendation. Commissioner Hames questioned if staff was aware of any development projects that would be proposed in the near-term in the B-2 District. Senior Planner Bachler stated that there were not any pending applications at this time. He reported he would add the review of the B-2 District design standards to the draft 2017 Work Plan.