12-06-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 6, 2023 10 there may be concerns if this development moves to six or ten units per acre. He asked how many large multi-family apartment buildings were being added to the development. Community Development Director Jagoe stated the JDA and the developer have not worked out that breakdown of units. She explained the developer has tried to identify in the southwest area as being a potential location for multi-family residential units, but the renderings do not identify specific buildings at this point. Chair Vijums commented there were two designated areas proposed for additional density (NR- 3 and NR-4). He inquired how many residential units could be added based on the City’s current zoning definitions. He questioned why 500 was the number. Community Development Director Jagoe clarified for the Commission that under Attachment 1, the blue table was articulating how the City got to 1,460 and any variation would trigger an amendment to the TRC. She stated there was no scenario where the City could modify the ranges. She indicated the TRC has language that does provide for a greater range than what is being seen, but that could only be achieved by going before the Planning Commission and City Council. Chair Vijums stated he would like to understand what the development would look like if NR-3 and NR-4 were not changed and the development was allowed to come to fruition. Community Development Director Jagoe explained without doing any amendments, the density would remain at 1,460 as shown in the blue table. Commissioner Bjorklund reported after doing the math, the 1,460 plan would have approximately nine units per acre and the 1,960 plan would have 10 units per acre. Chair Vijums suggested the Commission take a look at the definitions for NR-3 and NR-4 to see if there was support for the changes to each district. Commissioner Bjorklund thanked staff for the visuals that were provided that showed the different densities within the neighborhoods. Commissioner Collins stated he lived in Arden Hills because of the schools. He appreciated the current focus on affordable housing within this development. He explained his gateway to get into the schools was to find affordable housing and that was multi-family housing. He reported he appreciated focus within NR-3 and NR-4 as they provided various pathways to home ownership. He stated multi-family serves a need and the proposed code amendment expands the opportunities for multi-family. He believed the proposed districts would not differ from what was occurring in communities surrounding Arden Hills. He reported he supported the proposed changes. Commissioner Weber explained the districts may not be different, but he did not believe this would be a typical development. He was of the opinion TCAAP would be unique because it was all inclusive.