2A, Planning Case 12-007 - 1201 County Road E Proposal

Home Browse Search

Traflic The traffic study submitted by the applicant is still under review by the County and City Staff. The study makes assumptions about a number of possible uses that could be developed on the new Lot 2, and assumes a daycare and fitness center in the McGuire's space. The traffic study concludes that at full build-out, with the apartment building, the site would generate three times the number of PM peak trips than the Holiday Inn when it was operational. This does not necessarily mean that there would be a traffic problem,because the traffic study does not address the maximum capacity of the system for trips generated from this site. The County has been asked to analyze this and determine a maximum capacity, which will assist in the City's review as the site develops over time. Until the capacity is determined, Staff is concerned about the increase in traffic on this site. Phasing The applicant proposes to complete and occupy the first two floors of the building initially, and develop the third and fourth floors as the market demands. The Sheriff has reviewed this proposal and has significant concerns over the ability of the property owner to safely secure the top two floors in the interim. According to the Sheriff, locks will not be adequate to keep individuals out of the top two floors. Mix of unit types Staff is concerned about the number of efficiency units in the building. Experience and market trends indicate that successful apartment buildings offer a mix of units to draw a wider range of demand and demographics. It is preferable to have a mix of incomes within a single project, rather than a high concentration of low-income individuals. The Sheriff has also raised concerns over the density and number of efficiency units proposed in the building in terms of safety and security. Staff continues to believe that this property is an appropriate location for high density housing; however, Staff feels strongly that a diversity of studio, one, and two-bedroom units would function the best, both in terms of satisfying market demands, and offering a variety of options for potential tenants. An ideal scenario would be to plan for the redevelopment and/or reuse of the site as a whole, rather than the City reviewing it in segments over time. The applicant contends that there is a market demand for efficiency apartments, but that if they find that the market.demand is for more in-room amenities or larger units, they will adjust their plan as the project is built out. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session for March 26,.2012 f tMetro-inet.uslardenhiUs1P1anninglPlanning Cases12012112-007-1201 County Road E-PUD and Plat(Pending)103-26-12-CC Ws-1201 County Road E PUD-Memado= Page 4 of 5