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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – June 9, 2021 2 <br /> <br />via the utilization of a Planned Unit Development in areas guided for Community Mixed Use on <br />the Land Use Plan. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Kansier explained at its February 17, 2021, meeting, the City Council <br />approved a Conditional Use Permit, Planned Unit Development, Site Plan, and Zoning Code <br />Amendment for New Perspective Senior Living at 2 Pine Tree Drive. The original approval <br />included a 4-story senior housing facility with 146 units, including 113 assisted living units and <br />33 memory care units. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Kansier reported as part of this approval, the City Council adopted an <br />amendment to the Zoning Ordinance which allowed 1 memory care unit to be counted as .5 <br />dwelling units. As a result of this amendment, the number of units used to calculate density on <br />the site is 129. The proposed development site is approximately 6.4 acres and has a net density of <br />20 units per acre. Since the City Council approved this development, the applicant has reviewed <br />the plans and determined there is a need for additional units due to strong demand and <br />operational efficiencies. The applicant has filed an application to amend the approved PUD, <br />which will be considered under Item 3.C. The amended PUD included a 120 assisted living units <br />and 29 memory care units, for a total of 149 units. The net density is 22 units per acre, which <br />exceeds the maximum density of 20 units per acre permitted in the Community Mixed Use <br />designation. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Kansier reviewed the Plan Review and provided the Findings of Fact for <br />review: <br /> <br />1. Minnesota state law requires that all communities within the Minneapolis-St. Paul <br />metropolitan area update their Comprehensive Plans every ten years. <br />2. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to establish the policies that guide the future <br />physical and community development of Arden Hills. <br />3. The Metropolitan Council has previously approved similar amendments adding language <br />supporting increasing the densities above the maximum permitted in a specific land use <br />district. <br />4. The proposed amendment only affects the Community Mixed Use designation located <br />east of Snelling Avenue and south of County Road E. <br />5. The proposed amended language has been discussed with the Metropolitan Council. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Kansier recommended approval of Planning Case 21-010 for a 2040 <br />Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment, based on the findings of fact and the report submitted to <br />the Planning Commission on June 9, 2021. <br /> <br />Planning Consultant Kansier reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission on <br />this matter: <br /> <br />1. Recommend Approval as Submitted <br />2. Recommend Approval with Changes <br />3. Recommend Denial <br />4. Table <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the floor to Commissioner comments.