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_________________________________________________________________________________________ <br />City of Arden Hills <br />Planning Commission Meeting for August 9, 2017 <br />P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2017\PC 17-006 - Higher Education Study\Memos_Reports_17-006\PC Memo (08-09- <br />17)_17-006 V2.docx <br /> <br />Page 6 of 7 <br />These district provisions (performance standards) are identical to the B-1 district provisions. <br />Bethel University’s main campus is located in the B-1 zoning district and the University of <br />Northwestern is located in the R-1 zoning district. <br /> <br />Meeting with Bethel University and the University of Northwestern <br /> <br />On July 31, Arden Hills and WSB staff met with the Presidents and other staff from both Bethel <br />University and the University of Northwestern to review the draft report and the proposed <br />schedule to approve the amendments to the Zoning Code. The universities raised concerns <br />regarding the Higher Education, Classroom/Office definition and conditional use permit <br />conditions to allow for labs and the 25% limitation. Staff explained that the intention is to allow <br />for labs that are like a medical clinic lab that does not require any special HVAC equipment or <br />generate any hazardous wastes, but that hard science labs that would have vent hoods, waste <br />chemicals, and/or outdoor storage tanks would be prohibited. Staff also explained that the City <br />Council had directed a limitation on how much higher education uses could occupy the B-2 <br />zoning district, but that it was staff that proposed the 25% limitation. <br /> <br />The universities were asked to provide any written comments that they may have by Wednesday, <br />August 16 so that those comments can be provided to City Council at their August 21 Work <br />Session and the Planning Commission before the September 6 Public Hearing. <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />1. That the Planning Commission provides guidance and recommendations regarding any <br />amendments to the City’s regulation of higher education uses. <br /> <br />2. That the Planning Commission provides any direction or guidance regarding which <br />economic development issues to include within the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. <br /> <br />Next Steps <br /> <br />On August 21, the City Council will review the report and the proposed Zoning Code <br />amendments. <br /> <br />On September 6, the Planning Commission is expected to conduct a public hearing for any <br />Zoning Code amendments regarding higher education uses and provide a recommendation on the <br />final Commercial, Industrial, and Higher Education Study report. <br /> <br />On September 25, the City Council will be requested to approve the Zoning Code amendments <br />and accept the Commercial, Industrial, and Higher Education Study report. <br /> <br />A final draft of the Commercial, Industrial, and Higher Education Study is expected to be <br />completed in September.