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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 6, 2023 4 8. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to establish the policies that guide the future physical and community development of Arden Hills. 9. The Metropolitan Council has previously approved similar amendments adding language supporting increasing the densities above the maximum permitted in a specific land use district. 10. The proposed Comprehensive Map and Text Amendments have been discussed with the Metropolitan Council. 11. The City of Arden Hills is proposing to amend ordinance language consistent with the Comprehensive Plan Amendments as required by State Law within the Neighborhood Residential and Flex Office Zoning Districts. 12. The TRC ordinance amendments would allow for medium and large multi-family residential land uses outlined in the TRC land use chart as Permitted with Criteria with the Neighborhood Residential, NR-4 Zoning District. 13. The proposed ordinance will include amendments to the language of Chapter 13 – Zoning Code, Section 1380 – TCAAP Redevelopment Code. 14. The City is proposing to rezone approximately 32.4 acres in the southwest corner of the Subject Property for consistency and implementation of future land uses as set out in the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 15. The proposed amendment in the City’s TCAAP Redevelopment Code advances adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan the goals and policies as set forth in Chapter 6 – Land Use and Chapter 7 – Housing by broadening the housing types in the Neighborhood Residential Zoning District. 16. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code regulations require a public hearing prior to action by the City Council. 17. If the zoning amendments were approved, the Developer would be required to submit a land use application that would be subject to the formal review process. Community Development Director Jagoe reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 23-021 for Comprehensive Plan Amendments to Chapter 6, Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13, Section 1380 – TCAAP Redevelopment Code, and Rezonings. 1. Recommend Approval 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Robert Lux, President and CEO of Alatus, introduced himself to the Commission. He discussed the history he had with the City on this development going back to 2016. He explained at that time, the plan was to develop 1,460 housing units, along with industrial, hotel, retail and office space throughout the site. Since that time, there was conflict between the City and the County as to the affordability and density within the development. He stated back in 2016, the goal was to have 10% of the units at 80% median income. As time went on, it became obvious that 10% of the units at 80% AMI were not addressing a dire need for more affordable housing. He reported one of the ways to create more affordable housing would be to increase density in order to reduce overall cost. He explained the City and County went through a lawsuit process and this ended a year and a half ago. He noted the JDA was reinstituted in 2023 and earlier this week a