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August 12, 2017 <br /> <br />Mr. Eric Zweber, AICP <br />Senior Planner <br />WSB & Associates, Inc. <br /> <br />Mr. Matthew Bachler <br />Senior Planner <br />City of Arden Hills <br /> <br />Gentlemen, <br />In my humble opinion, the City of Arden Hills was caught flat-footed by a request from the <br />University of Northwestern to acquire the vacated space of Smiths Medical for the purpose <br />of installing a facility to operate its “STEM” off-campus post graduate program. <br />Because Northwestern is a tax-except enterprise under Minnesota law, this application has <br />been viewed by the City as an ominous indicator of not only a decline in its tax base but <br />also a decline in its already limited supply of space for desirable future commercial <br />development. <br />As a result, a yearlong moratorium was imposed by the City Council in order to study the <br />issue and determine what, if any, regulations may be in order to achieve tenable guidelines <br />that both the City and its higher education institutions can operate within and achieve <br />their respective goals. <br />WSB & Associates submitted the results of its Higher Education Study to the Planning <br />Commission for review and discussion at its August 9, 2017 meeting. There were not <br />enough Commissioners present to establish a quorum for that meeting, notwithstanding <br />the City Council directive that the Planning Commission provide feedback and analysis. <br />As you recall, near the conclusion of the August 9 Planning Commission meeting, I offered <br />to provide a document with additional remarks, questions and recommendations for future <br />consideration as you prepare for the August 21st City Council work session. Accordingly, I <br />hereby submit the attached for review and consideration. <br />Thanks, <br />Jim <br />Jim Lambeth <br />Arden Hills Planning Commission <br />lambeth5@msn.com <br />(612) 735-8132 [bus/mobile] <br />