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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 5, 2021 16 Commissioner Jeffreys requested comment from staff regarding the letter from the DNR. Planning Consultant Kansier reported staff received a letter from the DNR and this was forwarded to the Planning Commission. She explained the DNR had concerns with resolving the inconsistencies between Regulations #1 and #5. Commissioner Wicklund recalled why this item was brought to the Planning Commission originally and that had to do with storage and beautification by the lake. He feared that over the past decade, the toys along the water have gotten larger. He understood that for some people 64 square feet was plenty of space and for others 100 square feet was just enough space. He suggested holding a conversation where Arden Hills would model its Shoreland Ordinance to Shoreview’s Ordinance. He wanted to see Arden Hills leading with relevant codes that were designed to address the real issues at hand. He commented his preference would be to model this Ordinance after Shoreview and not Roseville. He asked if the Commission would consider stretching the accessory square feet size and structure height. Chair Vijums stated he was not clear on what the City of Shoreview allowed within its Shoreland Ordinance. He indicated the Commission would have to do more review and study of the Ordinance prior to having a discussion. Commissioner Wicklund explained Shoreview allows accessory structures that do not exceed 250 square feet in area, were not wider than 12 feet as viewed from the water, is not higher than 10 feet above grade, and has a 20 foot setback from the side lot line. Chair Vijums reported these numbers would create much larger structures. Commissioner Wicklund stated he would support 120 square foot structures. Chair Vijums indicated he was thinking about the lakes in Arden Hills versus the lakes in Shoreview, noting the lakes in Arden Hills were smaller and the lakeshore lot widths were smaller. For this reason, he supported keeping the structures smaller versus trying to meet what another City allows. He believed the City was already raising the standards going from 64 to 100 square feet. Commissioner Jeffreys agreed she did not want to see the structures becoming any larger than what was being proposed. Commissioner Weber questioned how the City came up with 100 square feet for the accessory structures. Councilmember Holmes stated the Council weighed the interest of the residents to what other cities were doing. She explained some things were taken from Roseville’s ordinance, but explained the Council was very concerned about the aesthetics along the lakeshore. For this reason, the Council did not support allowing structures as large as Shoreview or other communities. She understood the City would have to make a correction within the regulations to comply with DNR guidelines. Chair Vijums asked if the City received any comments in opposition to the Ordinance.