1.B Guiding Plan for the B2 District-Update

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The City has made progress in implementing the more immediate portions of the Guiding Plan. Additional discussion is needed regarding the proposed infrastructure improvements, including funding and a timeline, if there is a consensus to move forward. Project Implementation Status Since the approval of the Guiding Plan, the City has implemented several aspects of the Guiding Plan and is making progress on other parts: • Comprehensive Plan — After acceptance of the Guiding Plan in October 2008, the 2030 Comprehensive Plan was amended to reference and be compatible with the Guiding Plan. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan was preliminarily approved by the City Council in December and is currently being reviewed by the Metropolitan Council. • Zoning Code Desi Standards --- The Planning Commission and City Council adopted a significant update to the design standards in the Zoning Code for the B2 District in November 2008. The design standards were then extended to the B3 District in December 2008, which includes those properties along Lexington Avenue. These design standards have been applied to the recent Arden Plaza redevelopment proposal, and they will apply to future redevelopments. • Pedestrian/Bike connection over Trunk Highway 51 — The existing pedestrian/bike connection over Trunk Highway 51 provides just a couple feet of space for non -motorized users and is considered substandard. The Guiding Plan called for a safer pedestrian/bike connection over Trunk Highway 51, which had been discussed as being a cantilevered addition to the existing bridge. After further review of the proposed modifications to the bridge, it was determined that a cantilevered addition is not supported by Mn/DOT. Furthermore, MnDOT does not have any plans to replace this bridge in the next 20 years. However, the City is actively pursuing two other options. o The first option involves "remodeling" the existing bridge deck to provide a five foot wide sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. Staff recently met with MnDOT to discuss the project scope and what Mn/DOT would require in a bridge reconfiguration project such as this one. Once a construction estimate is put together, this information will be provided to the City Council. The City would wait to move forward on this remodeling until we know if option two is a possibility, though construction could occur in 2010. o The City also submitted an application for federal funding for the potential construction of a new stand-alone bridge for a multi -use trail just north of the existing bridge. If the City is able to fund the local match for this project and receives federal funding, the construction timeline would be 2013/2014. • Lake Johanna Boulevard name chane — The Guiding Plan proposed to rename the section of Ramsey County Road E between Old Snelling and Lexington Avenue to Lake Johanna Boulevard. It was felt that the Lake Johanna Boulevard name would be more distinctive to Arden Hills and provide better way -finding for businesses and residents. According to discussions with the City Attorney and Ramsey County Public Works, the City can change City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session —August 17, 2009 C: Oocuments and Settingslbecky.brazyslLoeal Settings lTemporary Internet Files 10LK15,n08-17-09 -CC Work Session - Guiding Alan for the B2 District Update. doe Page 2 of 4