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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 2 <br /> <br />3. STAFF COMMENTS <br /> <br />A. TCAAP Update <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that all buildings, with the exception <br />of the steel beams in Building 502, have been wrecked to grade. Most underground utilities have <br />been removed, and the removal of existing substations and utility poles has begun. As building <br />slabs are removed, soil samples are being taken and submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control <br />Agency for clearance. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the City Council has held two <br />meetings with Gateway Planning, the zoning consultant. Drafts of the TCAAP zoning ordinance <br />have been discussed by the City Council, and further revisions are anticipated. Additional <br />meetings with Gateway Planning are scheduled for November 3 and 17, 2014. City staff, County <br />staff, and financial consultants have been meeting with commercial and residential developers to <br />get feedback on land values, absorption rates, and the draft zoning document. Developers are <br />being invited to attend work sessions to allow the City Council an opportunity to ask questions <br />and have a direct dialogue with developers. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that on September 8, 2014, <br />representatives from Anderson Companies and Cushman & Wakefield/Northmarq attended the <br />City Council work session. Much of the discussion focused on how to ensure that commercial <br />development was attractive and that it was a good fit with other TCAAP development. The <br />developers believed that the site’s amenities including open space, trails, and proximity to retail <br />and services would be attractive to users that offer high-quality jobs. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that on September 22, 2014, <br />representatives from Pratt Homes and Mattamy Homes attended the City Council work session. <br />The developers provided insight into housing products desired by the market, housing <br />characteristics including size and setbacks, and features and locations of parks and amenities. <br />Developers advised the Council on how to have good transitions between residential and other <br />uses and how to avoid monotony in residential development. Additional work sessions with <br />residential and retail developers are being scheduled. Developer comments are being compiled <br />and will be reviewed by the City Council at upcoming meetings. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that staff and consultants are <br />scheduling work for the regulations and policies component of the master planning process. She <br />noted that a special work session has tentatively been scheduled for December 1, 2014. The <br />meeting will take place at approximately 6:30 pm after the regular JDA meeting. The current <br />schedule for TCAAP meetings is as follows: <br /> <br />September 29, 2014, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room <br /> County Road I and Thumb Road Design Review (Infrastructure) <br /> Zoning Definitions (Chapter 4) <br /> Discuss Chapters 6-7 (Building and Site Development Standards, Building Design <br />Standards) <br />