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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 8, 2017 5 Beka Hemkin, eStreet Flats resident, 1201 County Road E, indicated she attended Bethel University and now works at Northwestern. She believed the proposed Dunn Brothers would be a great addition to the community. There being no additional comment Vice Chair Jones closed the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Commissioner Bartel agreed the coffee shop would be a great addition to this area of Arden Hills. Commissioner Bartel moved and Commissioner Gehrig seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 17-024 for a PUD Amendment at 1160 County Road E West, based on the findings of fact and submitted plans, as amended by the seven (7) conditions in the November 8, 2017, Report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Eric Zweber, WSB & Associates, stated on June 7, 2017, WSB & Associates provided a summary of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update to the Planning Commission. That summary included the changes in the requirements for the Housing Chapter. Since that meeting WSB and City staff have been updating the Housing and Land Use chapters and completing the technical elements (potable water, surface water, sanitary sewer, and transportation) to develop any capital investments necessary to implement the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, in September, the City Council accepted the Commercial, Industrial, and Higher Education study. The findings of that study have been included in the Land Use and Implementation chapters of the Comprehensive Plan. He reviewed in detail the draft Land Use, Housing, and Implementation Chapters, commenting on the existing and new affordable housing needs. He provided further comment on the implementation portion of the Comp Plan noting how this aligned with the City’s CIP. The next steps and approval timeline for the Comp Plan was reviewed and staff requested comments or questions. Commissioner Zimmerman commented on how the City worked to balance affordable housing with the cost for these units and potential buyers. He questioned if subsidies were set up to account for some level of variability. Mr. Zweber reported the City was only able to control regulations for development and the funds available to assist with development. He explained that the labor market and cost for building materials were a matter outside of the City’s control. He stated if the cost to produce housing were on the rise and incomes were to remain the same, the State and Federal government would have to assist in filling that gap. He described how the Met Council worked to assist local communities to ensure they have the proper tools in place to foster affordable housing. Commissioner Zimmerman stated he did not want the City and Alatus to be put in a position to create affordable housing on TCAAP if there was not a strong market to occupy the space.