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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — APRIL 14, 2025 6 Mayor Grant asked if there was any documentation, in writing, that Mr. Foss received this information. Senior Planner Fransen confirmed she communicated via email to convey next steps for that property. Mayor Grant asked Senior Planner Fransen if it is her opinion that Mr. Foss understood he would need to apply for a zoning change or conditional use permit. Senior Planner Fransen said she outlined the process for allowing it but did not share the conditional use permit requirement. She conveyed that she would work with him on next steps, if that were involved. If he had moved forward with an amendment to the zoning code, she would have mentioned how it was permitted by conditional use permit in the zoning districts where it is allowed. Councilmember Rousseau said the Association of Retail Professionals lists three types of thrift stores. She wonders if Council is planning to focus on a specific type of thrift or are we discussing the overall use. How would that affect the code updates that are happening? She sees empty buildings on Lexington. She understands some people are not fans of thrift stores but she would not be opposed to a competitor of Goodwill going into one of those vacant buildings. She was seeking clarity if the discussion is surrounding all types of thrift or just the one that fits in with this particular business. Councilmember Holden said she keeps hearing how the City is not being supportive of this business. She thinks it's a viable business and it's great. She has the email that Senior Planner Fransen sent to Mr. Foss. She outlined where the zoning would allow this business. He chose to go somewhere different. Goodwill happened when the PUD changed the hotel to a college dorm. We were told it was going to be an 8,000 sq. ft. building with hardly any traffic. Ramsey County pushed back regarding the corner. Council objected to Goodwill based on those issues, not based on what business it was. Savers and Salvation Army want to be here. The reason they want thrift stores in this area is not for the sales but for the donations. Goodwill's entire model is based on the donations from wealthier communities. That is why thrift stores were restricted. It had nothing to do with personal preference. There was a lot of information the Council considered. It's insulting to suggest it was just personal preference. If we say thrift stores are allowed, that's what we're going to get. It was restricted to certain zoning districts because thrift stores tend to be a destination location. She said the Tavern Grill wouldn't be here if we had a ton of thrift stores along Lexington. From County Road D all the way down, this is the only strip mall there is. The sentiment she is hearing is that this business owner should be doing what has been outlined for him. He does get some items donated for free that he then sells. It's not strictly consignment. If we change the definition to consignment, some of his inventory can't be sold. There are a lot of things to look at. This business has a great model. She keeps hearing that the City should be working with him. City Staff have met with him and communicated to him what his options are. The only option he has chose is strong arming and bullying. She heard from a lot of people when they started learning about the situation. She laid out how things actually went. The response has been that the owner isn't telling anyone that he was told by the City what his options are. If he had used his energy working on the steps outlined by the City, rather than emailing everyone on his list, maybe something could have been accomplished. We have zoning for a reason. There are processes in place to amend zoning. She is for conditional use permit. The gentleman doesn't want to do that. He told staff he didn't want to.