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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 8, 2020 6 National Recoveries employs approximately 350-400 persons and has been a tenant of Arden Hills Corporate Center since 2015. Associate Planner Hartmann reported the available parking at the center does not meet the demand of National Recoveries. Call center uses typically require ample parking due to the high staffing demands. Because of this, National Recoveries has contracted with North Heights Lutheran Church to provide overflow employee parking. North Heights Lutheran Church has significant excess parking during the week. National Recoveries has a shuttle that transports staff from the church to their facility. The existing offsite parking is permitted by ordinance section 1325.06 Subd D, 6, stating that “if required parking is located on a site other than the site on which the principal building or use is located, a properly drawn legal instrument, executed by the parties involved, must be filed with the City, which provides for such parking and which shall not be terminated without approval by the City Council.” National Recoveries has provided the City with the parking contacts. Associate Planner Hartmann explained at its December 2019 work session, the Council discussed call center parking requirements in regards to National Recoveries. Following a discussion, the City Council directed staff to review and propose a zoning code amendment to add a definition for “call centers” and parking count standards for the use. At its June 8th, 2020 work session, staff presented the proposed language to the Council. The Council directed staff to move forward with adding a definition and parking counts requirements for call centers. If this amendment is approved, National Recoveries would be considered legal non-conforming as the user would not meet the new parking requirement. National Recoveries can continue to operate their shuttle and provide their off-site parking, but if they expand or modify their facilities in a way that would trigger a land use request requiring approval from the City Council, their proposal would have to conform to the new call center requirements. Associate Planner Hartmann reviewed the surrounding area, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The City of Arden Hills is proposing amendments to the language of Chapter 13 of the Zoning Code. 2. Under City Code Section 1305.04, definitions for items found in the Zoning Code are laid out in a glossary of terms. 3. City Code does not have a definition for a “Call Center” under City Code Section 1305.04. 4. City Code Section 1325.06, Subd. 1, J defines the number of parking spaces requirements under each category of use within the Zoning Code. 5. Call Center uses are not defined under City Code Section 1325.06, Subd. 1, J. 6. Under City Code Section 1325.06, Subd. 1, J Business & Professional Office uses require (1) one parking spot for every 250 square feet of office space. 7. The City is proposing that a Call Center use shall require 1 parking space per 150 square feet. 8. Amendments to the Zoning Code regulations require a public hearing prior to action by the City Council. 9. If this amendment is approved, National Recoveries will be considered legal nonconforming as the user would not meet the new parking requirement.