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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MAY 21, 2018 4 City Administrator Perrault noted that Councilmember Holmes felt she would support low bonding amounts. It was decided the council was 3-2 for scenario A. Staff was directed to bring a $2.6 million bond to the next Council meeting for approval. E. Residential Zoning Districts City Planner Bachler discussed the uses currently allowed in the R-1 and R-2 districts, as well as development standards and set back requirements. He noted the total number of properties that could be subdivided in R-1 would be about 16 and 7 in the R-2 district. He suggested the Council could consider changing or adding requirements to the subdivision and zoning codes regarding loss of neighborhood character, building height, residential floor area, and space between dwellings as a way to address concerns associated with infill deveopment. He asked the Council if they would like staff to do additional research that may include changes to the future land use map and regulations other communities have. Councilmember Holden passed photos of homes in a neighborhood of the City that were all unique, showing her distaste for identical houses being allowed side by side. Mayor Grant would be in favor of making changes to properties that are being used as non- residential. He felt our position would be better going in as R-1 than R-2 and hoping someone develops as R-1. City Planner Bachler said redevelopment projects on lots that are heavily wooded will need to have tree removal and he felt the zoning code language wasn’t clear enough to specify how much was too much. Councilmember McClung felt a consistent height requirement needs to be addressed. City Planner Bachler explained how the floor area ratio works; finished or finishable space is included that is at least six feet in height. The ratio is currently 30% of the lot area. Council would like to see Trinity Lutheran Church rezoned from R-2 to R-1. Staff will speak with the church before a public hearing notice goes out. F. Residential Accessory Structures City Planner Bachler explained that the question of the setbacks on accessory structures has often come up with residents wondering why the requirement is ten feet. He provided the accessory structure setback requirements for neighboring communities and asked if Council would like staff to look at the City requirements. After discussion, the consensus was to keep the current residential accessory structure setbacks.