01-08-25 PC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 4, 2024 7 plan that states Arden Hills needed more affordable housing units. He believed the City had a clear goal when it came to housing and he was of the opinion the City should be following this goals. He supported relaxing the dedication fees in order to receive more affordable housing units. He stated without the inclusion of any affordable housing, he may be voting against this entire project. Chair Weber stated he was not entirely supportive of this project, but he understood the City Council wanted to see it moving forward. He understood the City needed to work to achieve its affordable housing goals and recommended 20% of the units be affordable. He explained if the developer were to work towards this goal, he could support lowering or lessening some of the dedication fees. Chair Weber questioned if the south parking lot was connected to the church parking lot. Consultant Planner Hofer explained these two parking lots were connected. Chair Weber recommended a trail connection be provided by the developer in order to provide pedestrian access to the trail adjacent to this property. He asked if it was the applicant’s intent to have a left turn only onto Highway 96. Interim City Administrator Jagoe recommended the applicant speak to this further. Chair Weber asked if the additional church parking lot that was being built was required to meet minimum parking requirements. Consultant Planner Hofer stated the church needed additional parking based on the reduction that would occur for the multi-family dwelling project. He indicated the house of workshop currently has 866 parking stalls. He noted this number would be reduced if the multi-family project were to move forward. For this reason, the house of worship was proposing to construct a new parking lot with 76 parking stalls. He explained the site would then have 795 stalls where 774 were required. Chair Weber questioned why the house of worship would be constructing this additional parking lot. Roger Fink, Trident Development, stated he was a representative for North Heights Lutheran Church. He explained the parking allocation for the house of worship has always exceeded the code minimum. He indicated North Heights Lutheran Church holds worship services and a variety of other community events. He stated the church feels a need to preserve a portion of surplus parking given how a portion of parking would be lost to the multi-family development. Chair Weber asked why this project was being presented in the manner that it was. He stated he was concerned with the slow roll of this development and how it has been brought to the Commission for consideration in several different iterations. He reviewed comments from the developer stating they had told the City this project would come forward with all the pieces and conform to City Code. He indicated the proposed plans do not conform to City Code. He inquired if there had been an intent to conform to zoning code requirements.