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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION October 9, 201318 B.TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher reported the first open house for the TCAAP Master Planning process was held on September 17, 2013. The purpose of this open house was to provide information about the master planning process, share background information on the redevelopment site including site constraints, and solicit input on site opportunities and issues. Over 100 people were in attendance. The following boards were on display and have been posted on the City Project timeline and schedule Site context and features Key lessons from developer panel/developer interviews Transportation and access Environmental features Topography and elevations Parks, trails, and open space Community Development Director Hutmacher reported attendees were asked to comment on residential and commercial building types, open space types, and neighborhood patterns. Attendees also had an opportunity to participate in a land use exercise in which they could distribute their preferred mix of residential, retail, office, and park uses across the site. Photos were taken of each completed exercise and projected onto a screen in the room. Comments received at the open house largely addressed the following themes: Emphasize trails and provide multi-modal connectivity Limit the amount of development to preserve the natural environment Create regional destination in the form of shopping centers or community attractions and amenities Place non-residential uses on the west and residential on the east part of the site Focus on small and local businesses Incorporate indoor and outdoor sporting/recreation facilities Provide lifecycle housing opportunities (young singles, families, retirees) Find a way to incorporate alternative energy production Make sure there is ample green space and active space Make provisions for transit service. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that input from public and stakeholder engagement, including City Council and JDA comments, will be utilized along with technical analysis of traffic, land use, and environmental factors to develop two scenarios for the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) document. An AUAR is a form of environmental documentation through Minnesota State Rules that evaluates a development scenario (or several scenarios) for an entire geographical area rather than a specific project. The AUAR must include a scenario based on the existing comprehensive plan. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated if actual development - in total or in any subarea - is proposed to exceed the maximum development studied, the AUAR loses its validity;