11-06-13 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION November 6, 20139 A.Report from the City Council City Planner Streff updated the Planning Commission on City Council activities from their October 28, 2013, meeting including approval of Planning Case 13-016 for a variance at 1226 Ingerson Road. The Planning Commission recommended approval (5-1, Holewa) of this case at their October 9, 2013, meeting. The City Council also reviewed Planning Case 13-013 for a conditional use permit for Bethel University in order to allow higher education as the principal use of the property at 2 Pine Tree Drive. The City Council voted to table the case to allow for additional discussion at a future Council meeting. The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their October 9, 2013, meeting and recommended approval (6-0). B.TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher stated Ramsey County received notice that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have approved the Quality Assurance Project Plan. This means that below-grade remediation work can begin in the 30 acres that are subject to the lease agreement with the federal government. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated in an effort to increase involvement of businesses and young professionals in the master planning process, staff is working with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce to schedule a master planning eve November. The event will be very similar, in terms of information presented and the land use exercise, to the September 17, 2013, TCAAP open house. Depending on the outcome of the Land -site master planning activities may be scheduled at major local employers in winter/spring 2014. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported Kimley-Horn is working on analysis and pre-design work for the County Road H and Highway 96 intersections with I-35W related to the contract amendment requested by Ramsey County. City and County staff and consultants have met to discuss design options and their advantages and challenges related to traffic capacity, cost, MnDOT requirements, and development needs. The consultants are refining the options based on staff input prior to presentation to MnDOT and FHWA for further comment. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) is a form of environmental documentation through Minnesota State Rules that evaluates development scenarios for an entire geographical area rather than a specific project. An AUAR process is formally initiated by Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) order, which establishes the study area and scenarios to be addressed, and officially starts the AUAR process. It was noted the City of Arden Hills is the RGU for the TCAAP Development. Two scenarios have been developed for evaluation in the AUAR: 1.A scenario that is consistent with the approved Comprehensive Plan. Because the existing TCAAP zoning offers more detail than the Comprehensive Plan, using zoning regulations is an acceptable alternative.