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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JULY 23, 2020 4 <br />Associate Planner Hartmann noted the proposed land use would require a Site Plan, Preliminary <br />and Final Plat, Rezoning to R-2 District and a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the private <br />drive and for performance standard flexibility (at a minimum, density, minimum lot area per unit <br />and building height). Minimum lot width would require flexibility, along with minimum front <br />yard setback, and minimum corner yard setback. <br />Councilmember Holden said she is not in favor of the request. <br />Councilmember McClung said there are other issues that they may end up with the ponds and <br />stormwater issues. He felt it would devastate the character of the neighborhood and not fit in. He <br />could never support it. <br />Councilmember Scott said he wouldn't be willing to entertain rezoning and it's across the street <br />from a park and the density might be problematic. He can't support this project. <br />Mayor Grant said he wasn't as averse to private drives but can't support the current application. <br />Councilmember Holmes was not in favor of the rezoning. <br />Mr. Fair said he appreciated the Council's time and they will withdraw the application. <br />D. Communications Discussion <br />City Administrator Perrault noted the Communications Coordinator was not able to attend the <br />meeting and would have been a key part of the conversation. <br />Mayor Grant stated unless they'd like to go forward, the item would be postponed. <br />Councilmember Holden said it's a conversation about what Council wants the Communications <br />job to be so maybe the Council should still say what they'd like it to be. She felt the <br />Communications Coordinator is looking for input and whether she's at the meeting or not <br />wouldn't change what they decide. <br />Councilmember Holmes felt they should make some preliminary comments. <br />City Administrator Perrault gave background, noting the Communications Coordinator position <br />was approved by the City Council in 2017 following discussion that began at the City Council's <br />strategic planning session. Prior to having the position, the City relied on a volunteer committee <br />to draft newsletter articles and existing staff for website/social media updates. Since the <br />Communications Coordinator started, they have taken the newsletter in-house, facilitated a <br />website upgrade, webpage maintenance, taken on social media/website messaging, and acted as <br />the point person for the annual State of the City address along with other tasks. Since it has been <br />three years, they thought it might be an appropriate time to talk about the priorities of the position. <br />In early 2018 the Communications Coordinator asked Council to rank their priorities, at the top of <br />the list were the items like the newsletter and website redesign; toward the bottom were digital <br />storytelling and the annual report. <br />