05-26-15-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 20, 2015 3 to schedule Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) as the topic for this April 20, 2015, work session for further discussion. Mayor Grant questioned how the Council wanted to proceed with the TRC given the information that was provided to the City from the Fit Test. He reported that Fit Test Option 2 does not work for him. He suggested that the Council review the neighborhoods one at a time and work through the housing styles and density. He proposed that the Council begin discussion with the Creek and move to the Hill neighborhood. Councilmember McClung believed that a big picture, broad view of the TRC had to be considered prior to taking this approach. Mayor Grant was encouraged by what the Council learned from the Fit Test regarding the Town neighborhood, as it may be overly dense and require more flexibility. He understood that the County wanted to see more flexibility. However, he did not understand how this worked into the City’s vision, especially with the Hill and Creek neighborhoods. He wanted to ensure that the Council’s vision was realized on the TCAAP property. Councilmember Holmes requested further information on the Land Use Plan. Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed how the City would use the Land Use Plan for the TCAAP site. Councilmember McClung stated that if the Council supported the Land Use Plan as it stands today, the City would not be able to practically meet the maximum density of 1480 units within the TRC. He commented that flexibility would have to be written into the TRC in order to reach the proposed number of units. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that this was the case. She reported that if the Council supported 1480 units on TCAAP, staff would appreciate direction in order to begin making adjustments to the TRC to achieve this number. Councilmember Woodburn was in favor of looking at the overall density instead of a specific number. Councilmember Holden explained that she has been running the numbers and did not want to see the site over-developed. It was her opinion that Fit Test Option 2 was too dense. She was in favor of seeing more detail on how the residential roadways would be connected throughout the neighborhoods. Public Works Director Maurer reported that the County has given up on the idea of bringing a roadway from County Road I to the Creek neighborhood. He asked the County to split the entrance road to the Creek neighborhood for safety purposes. The Council further discussed Neighborhood district density.