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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 4, 2024 12 Commissioner Bjorklund requested the developer speak if they would be willing to extending the application time period. Interim City Administrator Jagoe commented the 15.99 timelines are for the rezoning and the final plat and the City has no additional time to review these matters. She indicated the City may have an opportunity to extend the PUD review, but noted the City Council wanted to see the land use application align with the rezoning review. She stated it would be a challenge if only the PUD portion of this project were extended. She reiterated that the rezoning and final plat would have to be reviewed on January 13, 2025. Commissioner Bjorklund stated he would be voting against this project because of its abject nonconformance to the City’s comprehensive plan. Chair Weber agreed. Interim City Administrator Jagoe indicated the Planning Commission could recommend denial of the project for reasons it was not consistent with the goals of the comprehensive plan, or the Commission could put forth a recommendation for approval without flexibility in certain areas of the project. Commissioner Bjorklund stated he has been talking to a gentleman from North Heights Lutheran Church for years about this project and how low income housing should be a factor. In addition, he noted he spoke with the developer as well. Commissioner Collins reported the comprehensive plan was explicit when it came to low income housing and this was something that should be taken into consideration. He believed there was something missing from this development and noted he would be leaning towards not supporting this project. Commissioner Wicklund stated he appreciated the comments about the desire to follow the comprehensive plan, but it was his opinion this would do a disservice to an outside business that was coming into this situation. He reported casting this expectation on their business model near the end of the process was burdensome. He was of the opinion staff has heard the concerns of the Commission and as new developments come forward considerations will be made. He stated he would be supporting this project moving forward, with the understanding the Planning Commission was a recommending body to the City Council. Commissioner Collins indicated his difficulty with this was that this was an outside business and the affordable housing units could benefit the residents of Arden Hills. He questioned if this project should benefit the outside business or the residents of Arden Hills. Chair Weber stated this was going on year for of this project and he was of the opinion the developer had slow rolled this project intentionally. He explained he would not feel guilty about the applicant now being in a position for the manner in which this project was presented to the City. He commented on how the need for affordable housing has grown over the past two or three years.