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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 7, 2025 9 Senior Planner Fransen indicated the store would have to evaluate if they could accommodate furniture items in their space and if the furniture could fit through the front door. She was of the opinion the proposed language would allow for the sale of furniture and would be allowed within a Class II thrift shop as well. City Administrator Jagoe commented on how transfers may also occur by the shop owner going off site to consider the sale of larger furniture items before accepting the items at the shop. The owner could then transport the larger item back to the store for sale. Commissioner Erler stated the current language would not allow a Class I thrift shop to load items into the store from the back entrance. He was of the opinion this should be allowed. City Administrator Jagoe indicated the proposed language would assist with addressing the offload and transfer of goods. Chair Collins asked if the language for the drive-thru was overly restrictive. Senior Planner Fransen commented a drive-thru was a traffic management tool and the interpretation of the existing language was that the drive-thru would be the accepted pathway for accepting donations. Chair Collins opened the public hearing at 8:18 p.m. Chair Collins invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Gretchen King, 1459 Glenhill Road, asked when the public hearing was being held on this item. Chair Collins stated the Public Hearing was being held at this meeting. Ms. King was of the opinion the public notification for the Public Hearing was not clear. She explained she has been a thrifter her whole life and she supported the City having thrift uses. She was of the opinion the City was currently being too restrictive and she was offended by the fact the City believed they were too good for the thrifting use. She stated in the day and age of reduce, reuse and recycle, thrift shops should be allowed and encouraged. She explained she was in favor of thrift stores being allowed in Arden Hills. There being no additional comment Chair Collins closed the public hearing at 8:23 p.m. City Administrator Jagoe discussed the City’s notification process noting the public hearing notice was printed in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and noted the ordinance item was placed on the City’s website. Chair Collins questioned how the Commission should proceed. City Administrator Jagoe suggested the Commission could recommend a motion for approval with amendments noting Attachment A, Section C.A.1 would be amended to remove the language regarding donations and directing staff to work with the City Attorney to look at language for Section A.1.C or thrift store Class I to find a way to clarify the receipt/intake of goods.