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City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for June 5, 2019 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2019\19-006 - Zoning Code Amendment – ZA Page 2 of 3 ceilings in basements of new buildings containing laundry rooms, bathrooms, hallways shall be seven (7) feet and basements in existing buildings have a minimum finished ceiling height of six (6) feet four (4) inches. However, new building basements not containing any habitable spaces as identified above shall have a minimum finished ceiling height of six (6) feet (8) eight inches or six (6) feet four (4) inches when beams, ducts or other mechanical item project. After speaking with city staff and the city attorney, it was determined to remove the height requirement and reference the Minnesota Building Code instead. This way, if minimum ceiling height is modified again in the future, staff doesn’t need to revise the zoning code. The definition was also reworded for clarification and consistency with the building code and other municipalities. The definition for floor area is utilized when calculating floor area ratio (FAR). The floor area ratio (FAR) is one of the primary tools used to limit the bulk of a principle building on a property. The other tools include minimum landscaping requirements, impervious coverage limits, setback requirements, and building height limits. The proposed amendments have been provided in Attachment A. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved of the proposed changes. Options and Motion Language Staff has provided the following options and motion language for this case. 1. Recommend Approval: Motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 19-006 for proposed amendments to Chapter 13 – Zoning Code, floor area definition of the City Code, as presented in the June 5, 2019 Report to the Planning Commission. 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments: Motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 19-006 for proposed amendments to Chapter 13 – Zoning Code, floor area definition of the City Code, as presented in the June 5, 2019 Report to the Planning Commission with amendments: a specific reason should be included with amendments. 3. Recommend Denial: Motion to recommend denial of Planning Case 19-006 for proposed amendments to Chapter 13 – Zoning Code, floor area definition of the City Code: findings to deny should specifically reference the reasons for denial. 4. Table: Motion to table Planning 19-006 for proposed amendments to Chapter 13 – Zoning Code, floor area definition of the City Code: a specific reason and/or information request should be included with a motion to table.