12-07-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 9, 2022 10 Commissioner Wicklund anticipated the lot depth variance would be reviewed and approved by the City Council. Community Development Director Jagoe requested the Commission still make a recommendation to the City Council on the lot depth variance. Commissioner Weber moved and Commissioner Mitchell seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 22-019 for the Non-Conforming Lot Depth Variance at 3588 Ridgewood Road on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the thirteen (13) conditions in the November 9, 2022, report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). Community Development Director Jagoe requested the Commission make a motion denying the setback and driveway access variances with findings for the recommendation of denial. Chair Vijums moved and Commissioner Wicklund seconded a motion to recommend denial of Planning Case 22-019 for the Lot Setbacks and Driveway Access Variances at 3588 Ridgewood Road based on the degree of the setback variance requests being too significant, the site was to be accessed from Ridgewood Road, and for safety purposes when it comes to the driveway access. The motion carried 4-3 (Commissioners Blilie, Collins and Mitchell opposed). B. Planning Case 22-021; City of Arden Hills – Zoning Code Amendments – Chapter 13, Design Standards and Tree Preservation – Public Hearing Required Community Development Director Jagoe stated at their September 19th work session, the City Council discussed draft language for a proposed tree preservation ordinance. The City Council had previously requested Staff to investigate changing the City’s ordinance as it relates to tree preservation. Staff was directed to research whether or not the scope can be broadened to include items, such as landscaping or other green spaces. The City Attorney in his preliminary review of the draft changes believed the amendment would accomplish the flexibility being sought. The general consensus of the City Council was to move forward with the proposed amendments as presented in the work session and with the references to “green space” being modified to “landscaping”. Community Development Director Jagoe commented staff was directed to finalize the language with the City Attorney and bring forward the proposed ordinance to the Planning Commission for the first review and to hold a public hearing. Following the public hearing, the draft ordinance language with recommendation of the Planning Commission would be brought to the City Council for subsequent discussion and adoption. Community Development Director Jagoe explained staff has prepared a draft ordinance showing stricken language to be deleted and new language added in red font for your review. The general consensus of the City Council was that the current ordinance language is narrowly focused on tree preservation. The city code defines landscaping as “plantings such as trees, grass, shrubs.” Under the tree preservation ordinance as written, the City Attorney confirmed that the tree fund or a fee in lieu of planting may only be used for tree related expenses. The Council noted that there are projects (i.e. parks, right-of-way) in the City that could be considered or in