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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 6, 2017 7 <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones discussed the wetland lot that was directly adjacent to this lot and noted <br />this property would be used for stormwater drainage. <br /> <br />Chair Thompson stated she supported the proposed building and monument signage. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gehrig moved and Commissioner Lambeth seconded a motion to <br />recommend approval of Planning Case 17-023 for a Master and Final Planned Unit <br />Development at 3920 Northwoods Drive, based on the findings of fact and submitted plans, <br />as amended by the fourteen (14) conditions in the September 6, 2017, Report to the <br />Planning Commission, plus one additional condition requiring the applicant to meet the <br />City’s tree ratio requirements. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). <br /> <br />B. Planning Case 17-020; Zoning Code Amendment and Rezoning – Higher Education <br />Land Uses and Institutional Zoning District – Public Hearing <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated on October 10, 2016, the City Council adopted An Interim <br />Ordinance Temporarily Prohibiting Land Use Applications and Reviews for Higher Education <br />Uses in Residential, Business, Industrial and Other Zones (moratorium). The moratorium can last <br />up to one year to prepare a study to determine the impacts and benefits from higher education <br />land uses and provide recommendations for possible Zoning Code and/or Comprehensive Plan <br />amendments regarding higher education uses. The City Council initiated the required study and <br />directed the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Commission to provide <br />feedback and analysis throughout the process. The study was initially comprised of five <br />components: <br /> <br />• Background gathering and analysis of the existing Campus Master Plans for the <br />University of Northwestern and Bethel University. <br />• The regulation of Higher Education Uses within other communities. <br />• Analysis of the Commercial and Employment Uses currently allowed in the various <br />Commercial and Industrial Zones. <br />• Analysis of the Employment and Economic Activity that results from the allowed <br />Commercial and Employment Uses. <br />• Analysis of existing parcels and buildings within the Commercial and Industrial <br />zones. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler explained the Planning Commission, Economic Development <br />Commission, and City Council have over the last few months reviewed the technical analysis of <br />the five components and, based on the discussions, some potential outcomes. Based on <br />discussion at these meetings, two additional components have been added to the study report: <br /> <br />• College and University Enrollment by Community <br />• Property Taxes Paid by Commercial and Industrial Properties <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler indicated the college and university enrollment component was added <br />to determine if Arden Hills has a greater proportion of students to residents than other Minnesota <br />communities. The property tax component was added to evaluate the impact to the general fund <br />of the City of Arden Hills if the non-profit universities acquired properties that are currently <br />occupied by property tax paying businesses.