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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – February 5, 2025 3 from reducing the number of districts overall – and the number of business districts specifically. At the beginning of the code rewrite process, there were two zoning districts in the city that each had only one site so designated – B-1 and I-2. Since that time, the single property zoned B-1 has been rezoned. Given the large number of zoning districts, and the infrequency with which these two categories have been used, HKGi is recommending they both be eliminated. The single site zoned I-2, which is the lumberyard on Hwy 10, could be rezoned to I-1. Any concerns about outdoor storage of materials at this location could be addressed as those standards are updated in the code generally. Mr. Zimmerman stated originally, there was thought of combining the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts into one new district as these two seems to serve similar purposes, have a small number of parcels zoned within each, and the two districts sit adjacent to each other. However, with the recent decision by the City Council to only allow cannabis retail sales in the B-4 district, it is best to keep these two districts separate. Currently, the B-3 district is called the Service Business District, even though the uses that are currently there are primarily focused on retail. The B-4 district, on the other hand, is called the Retail Business District but has little to no retail and instead contains a number of service businesses such as print shops, contracting services, supply and distribution companies, and indoor recreation. Assuming the preference of the City is to continue to encourage these uses in their current configuration, HKGi is recommending name changes to these districts to make it clearer how they are intended to be used. Since the B-3 district provides retail options along a major arterial, it is recommended it be renamed the Corridor Business district. The B-4 district functions as a typical business park in the way it accommodates multiple businesses in multi-tenant buildings with a focus on providing services or other non-retail operations. It is recommended to be renamed the Business Park district. Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Stromberg stated she supported the proposed changes to the zoning district names. Commissioner Lindau agreed noting he appreciated the intent, clarity and simplification. Chair Collins indicated he believed the proposed changes were user friendly. Kendra Ellner, HKGi, discussed how the restrictions on housing types can impact affordability and supply. She explained to the goal in exploring this topic is to improve affordability and the opportunity for different types of residential development. She noted this was a priority topic that was noted in the survey. She commented on the existing use table noting it was a bit restrictive on the type of housing that was allowed, with single-family detached dwellings being the only housing type permitted by right and all other housing types permitted as a conditional use or planned unit development. She reported there were barriers in place for developers and she suggested more flexibility be built into the current provisions. She reviewed proposed language changes that could be considered by the City in order to allow for additional housing types to address the missing middle. She shared images of additional housing option precedents for the Commission to consider. She then asked if there were any questions about what housing types are appropriate for each of the residential zoning districts in Arden Hills and what type of approval should be required for each. Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments.