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August 18, 2020 Page 6 B. Consider areas of the Silver Lake PUD which have been built out at lower density and transferring a portion (or portions) of that allowance to the subject site such that the “overall density of the PUD is consistent with the density directives of the Plan. In consideration of the preceding options, the City Council and Planning Commission were supportive of the idea of allowing the proposed development to utilize dwelling unit / development density rights which were afforded other sites in the Silver Lake PUD but were not used. Densities in the Silver Lake PUD vary widely, and there is little remaining land to develop. Capping the project at 40 units per acre would result in a unit count of 34 units. As such, the increase proposed by the applicants is a total of 4 units over the cap. Averaging this unit count over the larger district would result in an insignificant impact to the PUD density. Affordable Housing. The housing aspect of the project potentially raises the issue of affordability. The City’s Comprehensive Plan identifies several aspects of affordability and density. The Plan notes that for existing housing stock, St. Anthony Village provides a greater ratio of affordable housing, a greater ratio of rental housing, and a greater ratio of multiple family housing that the metropolitan area in general. This is also true for most aspects of affordability when compared to nearby suburban communities. With regard to planned housing and affordability, the Metropolitan Council assigned (as a part of the 2040 Plan Update process) an allocation for 152 additional “affordable” units to St. Anthony for the 2021-2030 decade. The Plan accommodates this allocation with land designated for affordable residential development of more than 460 units. The proposed apartment project serves to implement the City’s Land Use Plan which directs high density residential uses upon the subject site. In this regard, the project provides a potential “opportunity” for additional affordable housing units in the City. Moreover, it is worthwhile noting that this supply of affordable units would be provided without need for public subsidy. Land Use Compatibility. In consideration of the proposed apartment building project, a determination should be made that the proposed use is compatible with surrounding uses. The subject site is bordered by multi-family housing to the northeast, east and west, and by a commercial uses to the south and north: restaurant to the south, car wash and vacant retail center to the north. With this in mind, the proposed multi-family housing project will be contiguous to similar uses and therefore is considered generally compatible with surrounding uses (and not an isolated use). Site Access. Access to the subject site is to be provided from the north via 38th Avenue NE and from the west via Stinson Boulevard. Appropriately, both access points are located a