HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-032 RESOLUTION NO. 2017-032
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION APPROVING ORDINANCE 2017-005
WHEREAS,on October 10, 2016,the Arden Hills City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2016-
00E — An Interim Ordinance Temporarily Prohibiting Land Use Applications and Reviews for
Higher Education Uses in Residential, Business, Industrial and Other Zones ; and
WHEREAS, it was the intent of Ordinance No. 2016-008 to allow the City of Arden Hills
time to complete an in-depth study concerning current provisions and changes in official controls
for higher education (college and university) uses in residential, business, industrial, and other
zoning districts, and in the interim to protect the planning process and the health, safety, and welfare
of the citizens of the community; and
WHEREAS, on February 13, 2017, the City Council approved a contract with WSB and
Associates to conduct a study evaluating the economic condition of business districts of Arden
Hills, the growth pressures of Bethel University and the University of Northwestern, and provide
recommendations of Zoning Ordinance amendments regarding higher educational uses (the Study);
and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2017, the Arden Hills City Council received the Study
completed by WSB and Associates; and
WHEREAS, the Study found that the business districts within the City of Arden Hills
include a low level of vacancy in the industrial districts and a healthy level of vacancies in the
commercial districts; and
WHEREAS, the Study found that the City of Arden Hills has the highest ratio of residents
to college enrollment of any community in Minnesota, that the acreage of city property used for
college campus exceeds that acreage designated for certain business districts, and that an increase in
enrollment at Bethel University and/or the University of Northwestern has the potential to change
the mix of community elements of Arden Hills greater than other Minnesota communities; and
WHEREAS,the Study found that a strong mix of employment uses and consumer uses must
be maintained to ensure a healthy business community; and
WHEREAS, based on the findings of the Study, the City of Arden Hills determined that
certain amendments to the Zoning Code were necessary in order to maintain the existing mix of
employment and consumer uses in the community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arden Hills,
that Ordinance 2017-005 shall be adopted for the Zoning Ordinance text amendments regarding the
Higher Education, Campus definition and the INST—Institutional Zoning District.
ADOPTED this 25th day of September, 2017, by the City Council of the City of Arden
Hills.
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
By:
David Grant, Mayor
ATTEST: /
J Hanson, City Clerk