04-09-07 Item 7B, AUAR Relating to TCAAP

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 10,2006 8 Councilmember Grant stated he was not in favor of changing the Code, but he was in favor of granting this variance. MOTION: Councihnember Grant moved and Mayor Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the variance to retain the existing crushed rock driveway and should the driveway ever need to be replaced, that it be required to meet City Code. This variance approval is based on the following findings: It is a reasonable use of the property; it will not change the character of the neighborhood; and the resident relied on the building permit that indicated crushed rock was approved. Councilmember Grant noted the Planning Commission was correct in their findings and that Commission had little latitude in making their decision. The motion carried (3-1) (Councihnember Larson opposed). D. Motion to Approve the Arden Hills Strategic Economic Development Plan Ms. Barton stated in December 2005, the City Council authorized the EDC to hire a consultant to prepare an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City. The EDC immediately began the RFP process and in March 2006 hired DeSCo Solutions, Inc. to prepare the plan. She indicated DeSCo, in collaboration with the EDC, gathered information through research and interviews with City Officials, key leaders and stakeholders, as well as through a city-wide survey, then used this information to prepare the Economic Development Strategic Plan. She stated the EDC has since reviewed the plan and, after making some changes to the plan, has recommended adoption and implementation of this plan in and for the City of Arden Hills. She stated the EDC recommends Council move to approve the Arden Hills Economic Development Strategic Plan and authorize staff to budget for the implementation of said plan. Bruce Kunkel, EDC Chair, presented the Economic Development Strategy Plan. Councilmember Grant stated cutside of TCAAP, if they tried to retain the current businesses, how would they grow. Mr. Kunkel responded it was strategic and they might not necessarily want to retain all of the existing businesses they currently had in the City as well as being strategic in attracting the kind of businesses they wanted in the City. He indicated there was a lot of growth potential through redevelopment. Councilmember Holden asked who the 12 people were that were interviewed. Ms. Barton responded it was a mixture ofleaders, including Councihnembers, residents, and business people.