08-06-25 PC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – July 9, 2025 6 Mr. Zimmerman explained the final major section of code to be updated involves the procedures for processing land use applications. As currently outlined in the zoning chapter, the list of applications that the City considers includes: •Zoning text amendments •Zoning map amendments •Interim use permits •Conditional use permits •Planned Unit Developments •Comprehensive Plan amendments •Variances (no public hearing required) •Site plan review (no public hearing required) Mr. Zimmerman reported HKGi evaluated the procedures for receiving, reviewing, and considering approval for each of these applications. He reviewed his recommendations for the City in further detail with the Planning Commission. It was noted following Work Session #3, HKGi will draft revisions to the zoning code text and review the proposed changes with staff. A summary of the session will be forwarded to the City Council. If there are topics or clarifying questions that need to be reviewed with the Planning Commission, additional work sessions may be needed. Once all questions have been addressed, the first complete draft of the new zoning and subdivision text will be shared for review and comment. Chair Collins opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Burlingame explained he had created a list of proposed hours of operation and buffers, and passed this list along to Mr. Zimmerman. He read the list in full for the record. Commissioner Erler commented on the senior developments that had recently been developed in Arden Hills, noting not a single affordable unit had been included. He questioned how the City would incorporate into City Code some level of commitment to affordable housing. Mr. Zimmerman stated this may not be the place to do it, but explained PUDs could be the way to create an exchange in order to receive affordable housing units. He reported another option would be to require developers to provide a certain percentage of affordable housing units at a certain AMI. He indicated this was typically a policy the City would have in place and was not written into City Code. He explained the City could offer incentives for developers that work to provide affordable units. City Administrator Jagoe reported this was an area where staff would be seeking further direction from the City Council. Commissioner Jacobson suggested the code not have more lists of things to follow, but rather recommended the Code language be simplified. Mr. Zimmerman indicated the code language has been simplified, noting the idea was not to create standards for every use, but rather there may be certain uses where standards need to be built into the code.