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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – August 9, 2017 2 <br /> <br />Eric Zweber, WSB & Associates stated on October 10, 2016, the City Council adopted An <br />Interim Ordinance Temporarily Prohibiting Land Use Applications and Reviews for Higher <br />Education Uses in Residential, Business, Industrial and Other Zones (moratorium). The <br />moratorium can last up to one year to prepare a study to determine the impacts and benefits from <br />higher education land uses and provide recommendations for possible Zoning Code and/or <br />Comprehensive Plan amendments regarding higher education uses. The City Council initiated the <br />required study and directed the Planning Commission and the Economic Development <br />Commission to provide feedback and analysis throughout the process. The study was initially <br />comprised of five 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 zones. <br /> <br />Mr. Zweber reported the Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, and City <br />Council have over the last few months reviewed the technical analysis of the five components <br />and, based on the discussions, some potential outcomes. Based on discussion at these meetings, <br />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 />Mr. Zweber indicated the college and university enrollment component was added to determine <br />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. These components have been added as separate <br />sections within the report and have been summarized in the executive summary. <br /> <br />Mr. Zweber stated the previous versions of the report included potential outcomes in the <br />executive summary and did not include formal recommendations. He commented on a <br />memorandum which included a summary of the recommendations in the executive summary and <br />the full recommendations near the end of the report. Any changes recommended by the Planning <br />Commission will need to be changed in both the report and the code amendments. <br /> <br />Mr. Zweber explained any amendments to the regulation of higher education uses will need to <br />be ultimately approved by the City Council by October 9, 2017 before the moratorium expires. <br />The economic development issues will continue to be discussed as the City develops the <br />Comprehensive Plan update, which is expected to be approved in the first quarter of 2018. Staff <br />then reviewed the definition of higher education within City Code in detail with the Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Zweber noted on July 31, Arden Hills and WSB staff met with the Presidents and other staff <br />from both Bethel University and the University of Northwestern to review the draft report and the