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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JUNE 16, 2014 4 <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the City Council is scheduled to <br />consider approval of the master plan land use map on June 30, 2014. Direction is needed on the <br />following questions: <br /> <br />1. Does the City Council support the changes that have been made to the revised draft land use <br />map? <br />2. Would the City Council like to see additional changes made prior to June 30? <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher requested that the Council discuss the TCAAP <br />master plan land use map and provide direction to staff. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant encouraged the Council to consider the concerns expressed by some JDA members <br />regarding financial implications of the decrease in developable area. An item of importance to <br />both the County and the City is the creation of jobs. It was noted that a fair amount of property <br />has been pulled out of the master plan land use map for parks and surface water management. He <br />suggested that these areas be balanced against jobs and taxes. <br /> <br />Andrew Dresdner, Cuningham Group, reviewed the master plan land use map. He described <br />how the parks and green space has changed the land use map, and he commented that a U12/14 <br />soccer field was added to the Hill neighborhood. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden indicated that the City currently requires commercial properties to have <br />40% of the site as landscaped area. She expressed concern with how the TCAAP site would look <br />and feel if only 15% of commercial properties would be required to be open or green. She <br />understood that there needed to be a balance, but she did not want to get away from basic Arden <br />Hills’ standards. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner commented on the proposed athletic facilities. He was concerned with <br />the amount of space the softball complex would consume. He discussed his softball experience in <br />St. Peter, Minnesota. He stated that when he lived in St. Peter, the City had six ball fields and <br />9,000 residents. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung recognized the importance of parks given the proposed density on <br />TCAAP. He believed that green space outlets would be needed for these residents in order to <br />attract them to live and work in this area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes commented that there was concern over the park land on the blue I-flex <br />parcel. She suggested that the Town Center be a more active park area as this would draw people <br />into the downtown area. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant questioned how many ball fields were needed per 1,000 residents. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Maurer explained that the City currently had enough ball fields (six) <br />south of Highway 96. Staff used this data as a starting point for TCAAP and this recommendation <br />was passed along to the PTRC. <br />