04-20-15-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 1 of 3 DATE: April 20, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Summary At the January 20, 2015, City Council work session, as the City was nearing the completion of work on the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC), Ramsey County asked that the City delay final approval of the TRC until a “Fit Test” could be completed. The Fit Test included two possible development scenarios: 1. Option 1 in which development patterns and densities adhered strictly to the draft TRC; and 2. Option 2 which replicated how a developer might lay out the site to meet market demand for product types. Option 2 was presented at the April 13, 2015, special Work Session. City Councilmembers expressed concerns and directed staff to schedule Rice Creek Commons as the topic for the April 20, 2015, work session meeting for further discussion. Meeting Objectives 1. Determine the Council’s vision regarding maximum number of residential units and direct staff to work with the City Attorney to draft appropriate documents. 2. Provide consensus direction to staff on changes, if any, to the draft TRC considering the results of the Fit Test. 3. Establish an approval schedule. Discussion The purpose of the Kimley-Horn study was to test the parameters and requirements of the TRC to see if they would be understandable to developers and if they appropriately defined development patterns consistent with the City Council’s vision. Option 1 showed that while the base requirements of the TRC (setbacks, parking, green space, etc.) functioned well, maximum densities allowed by the zoning were not achievable. Option 2 of the Fit Test provided an MEMORANDUM