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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JUNE 16, 2014 2 <br /> <br /> Parks should be located nearer to center or at the entrance to residential neighborhoods so <br />that park traffic is not routed through the neighborhood; <br /> An adult athletic facility (softball and hockey) should be located adjacent to a County road. <br />This facility should be lighted and ideally will have shared parking with adjacent <br />businesses. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that the City Council also discussed <br />goals for the surface water amenity on April 21. Council comments included: <br /> <br /> Pond areas should be well-maintained and should have water present at all times; <br /> Ponds may be connected by natural areas or a “brook” environment; <br /> Trails and benches should be included so that the surface water management can also be a <br />site amenity. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that the City Council discussed <br />residential densities and the flex space land use on May 19, 2014. The City Council chose not to <br />set a maximum number of dwelling units at this time. It was noted that the City Council did not <br />make changes to the amount of land designated for the flex space land use. The City Council <br />discussed their preference for office development and that this type of development should be <br />allowed and encouraged in the flex space area. The City Council discussed establishing <br />regulations that limit the amount of warehouse/distribution uses at TCAAP. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that based on City Council direction on <br />May 19, 2014, revisions have been made to the draft master plan land use map which can be <br />summarized as follows: <br /> <br /> Parks in the Creek, Hill, and Town neighborhoods have been adjusted slightly to <br />accommodate recommended amenities. It is important to note that the exact size, <br />dimensions, and layouts of parks will be determined at a later date. The PTRC <br />recommendations focused on the amenities required in each park--how those amenities are <br />accommodated at each site will be determined during park design. <br /> <br /> The Town neighborhood park adjacent to the existing water treatment facility has been <br />more clearly identified as a park. The civic area adjacent to the park contains the water <br />treatment facility and space for another civic use such as a small amphitheater or a <br />historical marker/display. <br /> <br /> In the Creek neighborhood, the park location has been shifted to be closer to the entrance <br />to the neighborhood. This has been done to limit the amount of program-related traffic <br />driving through the neighborhood. (In the case of the Hill park, it is not possible to shift <br />the location due to the terrain. The ball fields need relatively flat surface areas, and there <br />are limited locations in the Hill neighborhood where this is possible.) <br /> <br /> Pocket parks were removed as they are too small to be maintained and programmed by the <br />City. Developers will be encouraged to include pocket parks that will be privately owned <br />and maintained.