10-28-24 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 28, 2024 8 Kendra Ellner said they are looking at the land use table and the conversations will continue. She gave some examples of how the evaluation will help expand the housing options. Councilmember Fabel read that in California the bulk of new residential construction is additional homes on existing large lots. He wonders if that is something that would be possible in Minnesota. Jason Zimmerman said that is common where Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed. It lets people add extra units. Several communities HKGi works with want to have the option for additional units. It doesn't make sense in every district. There is a way to allow that on a lot of a certain size that won't disrupt the community. Rita Trapp noted that in California, it's a state mandate that every city has to allow them. They are called Junior Suites. The price of land is so high that the economics make sense. In Minnesota, it's not the same. It is a nice option for Minnesota but it isn't driven by the economics like it is in California. Mayor Grant wondered if town homes are included in that missing middle. Rita Trapp confirmed. He pointed out Arden Hills has a lot of cul-de-sacs. He thinks corner lot issues come up quite often. Commissioner Lindau thinks the highest impact will be changing a single family home to something else like townhomes. He recommends we get more comparable community information on that. Rita Trapp said usually the changes are very incremental. This is a conversation. Typically R-1 will have a few changes and R-2 and R-3 change a little more. Recognizing the single family neighborhood. Mayor Grant said we aren't talking about knocking down a single family home and building a multi-plex in an R-1 zone. Maybe a duplex but he thinks the City is pretty built out. Rita Trapp said they will be providing more background. Even if it is duplexes, what does that mean?They have asked how many lots there are of different sizes. That helps understand is it even possible. Mayor Grant said something else to keep in mind is Arden Hills, has hills. There are wetlands, railroads, highways and a lot of irregular shaped lots. An acre lot may not have an acre of buildable land. Councilmember Holden said the City has worked hard to get our roads in excellent condition. The ADUs have to be hooked up to sewer and water. She wondered how we learn if we have the capacity to sustain that. How much damage will be done to the pipes and the roads. How will that change the sight lines? Jason Zimmerman said one city they worked with require ADU plumbing to go through the main house so it doesn't affect the streets. When it comes to sight lines. People often think of ADUs as a separate structure. It can be part of the main structure. It doesn't have to be a new structure. The standards can be built in however the City decides to do it.