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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — OCTOBER 28, 2024 7 Councilmember Rousseau would be interested in the City Attorney opinion on if it's something we should stay out of completely or if it's something to learn a little more about it. Councilmember Monson said she agrees with HKGi's diagnosis. She supports the suggestions to simplify the code and reduce the districts and reducing CUPs. She asked how you change the zoning that was maybe used in the 1950s. What are you looking for? Jason Zimmerman said the B-2 district is a good example. It has evolved. It started out being a business district and the last comp plan has is more like a mixed -use district. He thinks changing that to a mixed -use district would allow residential and commercial. It gives flexibility. Rita Trapp said traditional uses had a structure that outlined the district, the intent and all the uses that were allowed. Cities are moving towards less focus on the actual district and using use - specific standards. Increasing the number of uses allowed in a district is one way other communities have been modernizing their districts. It is unique to each community. Councilmember Monson is looking forward to the conversation. She understands the use doesn't' always match the zoning. She has questions about standards on home improvements. Not just variances, but she wonders why certain improvements require a licensed electrician. She wondered if they will be looking at that. Jason Zimmerman thinks that is building code. He said they are going to be looking at things to ask if they make sense. It's rare to have fewer regulations. So taking a pause and asking if there is a reason for the items that are in there. And if not, asking how to scale back to make it easier. Rita Trapp said some of the things they are looking at are asking if the building code addresses something. If it does, does it really need to be addressed in the zoning? They are learning where the standards exist and asking if it still makes sense. Commissioner Bjorklund asked about a slide that showed additional housing options. He asked what the word "typology" means. Kendra Ellner said the word means "options" or the "types" of housing. Commissioner Bjorklund thinks more things should be literally spelled out, instead of using abbreviations. He thinks members of the public won't understand. Councilmember Holden said a lot of work went into the TCAAP zoning to avoid issues. She wonders how neighborhoods will be maintained. She wants to make sure the standards used for that review are met with this review. She wants people to be looking forward to see their neighbors. Jason Zimmerman said that's a good point. If the City knows that is the goal, then it makes sense to structure the code as such. The code can be written so that it is clear what the standards are. Councilmember Fabel is curious how the Arden Hills code can be modified to address the missing middle housing.